Guns, Drugs, and Butchered Hawk Land Salinas Man Back in Jail

Guns, Drugs, and Butchered Hawk Land Salinas Man Back in Jail

Raul Tapia booking photo

SALINAS — Both the Salinas Police and Parole Department have assisted the California Highway Patrol in a traffic stop on East Romie Lane which ended in the arrest of 38-year-old Raul Gonzalo Tapia of Salinas.

Last Friday afternoon, during the traffic stop in question, officers began a search of the vehicle after a CHP canine unit alerted them to the possibility of suspicious contents. An unloaded Glock semi-automatic pistol was discovered, as well as 16 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of cocaine. A magazine for the pistol was also discovered in Tapia’s pants pocket.

Because Tapia was out on bail at the time, he was also subject to a search of his residence. There, authorities discovered a stolen ballistic vest from the California Department of Corrections, and more methamphetamine.

Police also discovered the dismembered remains of a hawk in Tapia’s freezer. The bird’s head had been removed from its body and wrapped in a towel along with talons and wings. The California Department of Fish and Games was contacted and determined that possession of a hawk in such condition was a misdemeanor.

Tapia is now back in jail in Monterey County and faces a variety of charges ranging from gun, narcotic, and stolen property possession, as well as the remains of the hawk. His last arrest in June came after the discovery of 3 firearms and 1/2 pound of methamphetamine in his possession.

 

Guns, Drugs, and Butchered Hawk Land Salinas Man Back in Jail was last modified: August 8th, 2016 by admin
Categories: Monterey

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Daniel Miranda

Dan Miranda is a Journalist, Photographer and Sports Writer for the San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Monterey area. He can be reached at dmiranda@unitedreporting.com