Three people arrested in Salinas following street racing incident, two police chases

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Three people have been arrested following a 200 vehicle gathering and two police chases.

At around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said about 200 vehicles were in a parking lot near N. Sanborn Road and Boronda Road. Officers said they worked with the California Highway Patrol to monitor the gathering and conduct traffic stops, but the group dispersed and went to the K-Mart parking lot on N. Davis Road.

First Chase

Officers said they saw a white BMW driving recklessly in the parking lot and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but it took off and led them on a chase. Police said the chase covered ten miles and went around back to the K-Mart parking lot multiple times.

Eventually, police said officers were able to box in the BMW and arrest the two people inside.

Police said the driver was 18-year-old Liborio Hernandez. He is facing charges that include driving on a suspended license, evading, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

The passenger and registered owner of the vehicle was 32-year-old Jerry Garcia, according to police. He is facing charges that include aiding a speed contest, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

Police said that while they were arresting the two men, several people in the crowd began taunting the officers and throwing objects toward them.

Second Chase

As police were arresting Hernandez and Garcia, officers said a red Jeep Cherokee drove through a traffic stop and those inside allegedly threw up gang signs. Officers said one of the passengers pointed what was later found to be a paintball gun at one of them.

Officers tried to stop the vehicle when it reportedly drove over the grass area onto N. Davis Road, but CHP officers pursued the vehicle. They said it headed southbound on Highway 101 and took the E. Market Street off ramp before coming to a stop.

Officers said the driver, 18-year-old Alejandro Valdez, was arrested for reckless driving and a 17-year-old juvenile passenger was cited for resisting arrest and brandishing an imitation gun.

Booking and Citations

Hernandez, Garcia and Valdez were booked into the Monterey County Jail. The juvenile was cited and released.

Police said multiple citations were issued during the incident. They said they have received multiple complaints from community members and business owners and will continue enforcement.