Photo: Courtesy of Monterey PD
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has successfully arrested two suspects involved in a burglary that occurred in Salinas on March 22 and 23, 2023. The burglary was reported to the Patrol Division by a resident in the 300 block of Espinosa Road. The following day, another burglary occurred at the same residence, and a vehicle of interest was seen on the property during one of the incidents.
On March 24, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit located the vehicle of interest in Soledad and conducted surveillance until the vehicle arrived at a residence on Prado Drive. Upon further investigation, they identified the male resident, Jose Gonzales, as being on probation and residing at the residence. Gonzales and another male, Gabriel Trujillo, were seen exiting the residence and entering the vehicle associated with the burglaries.
Detectives conducted a probation search of the vehicle and residence, where they found various burglary tools, drug paraphernalia, suspected methamphetamine, and stolen items from the burglaries. Gonzales was arrested on charges of burglary, possession of controlled substances, child endangerment, burglary tools, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Trujillo was issued a citation to appear for possession of a controlled substance.
On April 18, 2023, detectives conducted another probation search at Gonzales’ residence and arrested him and Guadalupe Padilla for various charges that included resisting arrest, identity theft, check fraud, and being a felon in possession of tear gas. The Sheriff’s Office has also obtained information that Gonzales and Padilla may be associated with various other crimes in Monterey County and the Bay Area.
The recovered stolen items were returned to the victims from the burglaries, many of which were family heirlooms that could not be replaced. The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging any member of the community with information related to this investigation to contact Detective Michael Vownikel or Detective Sergeant Jason Sullivan.
