KING CITY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the King City area have made three separate felony arrests during the added patrols that began March 7.
On March 7, at about 9 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Broadway and Canal streets in King City. The driver was identified as 32-year-old Jose Jeronimo Baca Hernandez of King City.
During the contact, the driver admitted he was unlicensed and then admitted to deputies that he was in possession of a handgun. The deputies were able to confirm that Hernandez had a loaded and concealed firearm in his waistband. The firearm was found to have an altered serial number.
Hernandez, who was also in violation of his active probation terms, was booked into the Monterey County Jail on the following charges: violation of probation, carry concealed weapon on person and alter/remove identification marks on firearm. His bail was set at $37,500.
On March 8, at about 5:22 p.m., deputies observed a subject who was riding an off-road style motorcycle in a reckless manner in the area of Broadway Street at Franciscan Way. The motorcycle nearly caused a collision as it drove.
Deputies attempted to stop the off-road motorcycle, which failed to yield, and a brief pursuit ensued. The motorcycle entered San Lorenzo Park, where deputies were able to catch up. The rider stopped and contact was made, at which time he took off on the motorcycle and was last seen fleeing across the pedestrian bridge.
As it crossed over the bridge, the motorcycle struck and injured a juvenile subject. The rider was last seen entering the Salinas Riverbed.
King City Police and the California Highway Patrol assisted in setting up a perimeter. Deputies were able to utilize a drone and located the rider hiding in the riverbed, where he was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was found to be a 16-year-old juvenile male, who was booked into the Monterey County Juvenile Hall for multiple felony violations.
The juvenile that was struck by the fleeing suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released for his injuries.
On March 11, at about 7 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop along the 1100 block of Broadway Street in King City. The driver was identified as 29-year-old King City resident Israel Garcia Carrasco.
Based on deputies’ observations of the driver and interior of the vehicle, they were able to conduct a search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies located a loaded and concealed firearm along with approximately 17 grams of cocaine that was packaged with the intent to sell. Also located was $11,000 in cash, gang indicia and a quarter pound of marijuana. Carrasco was taken into custody.
Detectives from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit along with arresting deputies, were able to obtain a search warrant for Carrasco’s residence. During the search, deputies located indicia of gun ownership and narcotics sales paraphernalia.
Carrasco was booked into the Monterey County Jail for the following charges: carrying a concealed firearm, gang member in possession of a firearm, prohibited person possessing firearm, possessing marijuana for sale, possession of controlled substance for sale, possession of firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, possession of open container (cannabis) and window obstruction.
“Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continues to remain vigilant in and around the King City area in an effort to assist the King City Police Department during the ongoing investigation into the mass shooting incident that took place on Sunday, March 3,” according to the Sheriff’s Office in a news release.
A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the shooting.
“We continue to ask the public to reach out to us with any information they may have that may be related to this incident,” stated the Sheriff’s Office.
Information can be provided anonymously by contacting: King City Detective Sgt. Josh Partida at 831-386-5988, Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Arras Wilson at 831-597-1225, or 1-888-78-C-R-I-M-E.
