Crime Reports

Joel Antonio Hernandez, 32, of Soledad, was sentenced to five years for vehicle theft by Monterey Superior Court Judge Pamela Butler on March 15.

On April 11, Francisco Napoles Medina, 54, of Watsonville, was found guilty by a jury of felony driving under the influence of alcohol with three prior DUI convictions, two of which were felonies.

Contra Costa Superior Court has ordered Golden Gate Petroleum Co., Bay Area/Diablo Petroleum Company and Westgate Petroleum Company, Inc. to pay $3 million in civil penalties related to the operation of underground storage tanks and management of hazardou

Judge Albert H. Maldonado announced his retirement to Presiding Judge Mark E. Hood on March 2.

Chris Ruhl has been selected to serve as Court Executive Officer for the Monterey County Superior Court beginning May 15.

A teenager was arrested last Wednesday at a relative’s home in Soledad for the murder of 43-year-old Jess Gonzales, who was shot and killed March 23 near North Main and Massa streets in Salinas.