SALINAS — One Salinas resident caught a lucky break when he spotted his own car, which had previously been stolen, driving around town and decided to follow it.
Police responded to the area and discovered the vehicle in the parking lot of a motel in the 100 block of John Street. They shortly discovered 36-year-old Margaret LaLeua behind the wheel as her companion, 26-year-old Joseph Olvera, was entering one of the rooms at the motel.
Officers called to Olvera to come out but received no response, which led to a brief standoff. Olvera finally surrendered as police prepared to enter the room by force.
A search of the room revealed an XDM replica airsoft gun.
Olvera, a parolee from Oakland who’d had a hold placed on him by the parole office, was placed under arrest for parole violation. LaLeua was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, which was promptly returned to its owner.
