Suspect was Seen Throwing Signs
SALINAS—Salinas Police have arrested a teenager for walking around carrying a handgun. Authorities Arrested 18-year-old Salinas resident Christian Torres on Tuesday after an anonymous caller witnessed him ‘throwing signs’ and yelling at passersby.
Early morning this Tuesday, an anonymous person called 911 and reported that they saw a person “throwing hand signs and yelling”. He continued to report that it seemed like he was challenging others to a fight. The caller continued following the subject while he walked down Williams Road and provided dispatchers with updates.
A Salinas Police Officer who was waiting for a tow truck on an unrelated call spotted the subject near the intersection of Williams Road and Alma Avenue. He helped guide other officers, via radio, to where the subject was located.
Officers made contact with the subject, now identified as Torres, on the 400 block of Williams Road. When officers asked him if he had anything on him, Torres dropped to his knees and placed his hands behind his back. The officers said he stated “that he had a gun in his jacket.” They immediately took Torres into custody. He was just a block from his residence at a nearby apartment complex.
In a subsequent search of Torres’ person, officers did find the gun, along with a small amount of methamphetamine and a meth pipe.
“When the public witnesses something like this they should call us.” Salinas Police Commander Sheldon Bryan stated, “We ask that the calls continue so that we can get guns and drugs off the streets.”
Torres was arrested and transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on gun and drug charges.
