A SALINAS POLICE OFFICER SPOTTED A STOLEN VEHICLE THIS MORNING IN AN ORCHARD AVENUE PARKING LOT. 22-YEAR-OLD JESUS ZAVALA WAS LODGED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL FOR VEHICLE THEFT, POSSESSION OF A LOADED FIREARM, AND PROBATION VIOLATION. HIS 30-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER WAS RELEASED WITHOUT CHARGES.

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES ARE ASKING PRIVATE AND CORPORATE DONORS WHO HAVE ALREADY PLEDGED MONEY TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE ASIAN TSUNAMI, TO EXPEDITE TURNING IT IN. NEARLY $2 BILLION IN INTERNATIONAL AID HAS BEEN PLEDGED. IF THE DONOR GIVES ON A CREDIT CARD THE MONEY IS MADE READILY AVAILABLE, BUT UNTIL THOSE WHO PLEDGE CASH OR CHECKS ACTUALLY DELIVER IT TO THE AGENCIES, THEY CAN NOT HELP VICTIMS. U-N UNDERSECRETARY GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, JAN EGLAND, CONCLUDED HIS DAILY TSUNAMI BRIEFING TODAY WITH THE PLEA. "IT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE IRONY IF WE STARTED THE YEAR WITH UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL GENEROSITY, AND WOULD END THIS YEAR WITH NO MONEY."

A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING LEWD ACTS, AND CONTINUED SEXUAL ABUSE, WITH SEVERAL CHILDREN. ESTEBAN MARIO BOJORQUEZ, A CUSTODIAN (AND BUS DRIVER) FOR MISSION SCHOOL IN SOLEDAD WAS BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL. SO FAR, MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF?S DEPUTIES HAVE IDENTIFIED 4 FEMALE VICTIMS. ANYONE WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BOJORQUEZ? ACTIVITIES IS ASKED TO CONTACT THEIR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

THE MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY?S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A CASE INVOLVING A BUSINESS OWNER, WHO ALLEGEDLY USED HIS STOREFRONT TO DISPENSE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. THE SITUATION WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT AFTER A WOMAN HAD A MEDICAL REACTION TO SOME ?MEXICAN? PENICILLIN SHE SAID SHE OBTAINED FROM OWNER JORGE PACHECO (AT HIS MEAT MARKET AND DELI IN SOLEDAD). PACHECO WAS CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON, AS WELL AS POSSESSION OF NON-PHARMACIST MATERIALS/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, AND DISPENSING THEM WITHOUT A LICENSE. THE MEDICATIONS DISPENSED INCLUDED THOSE THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED SUBSTANDARD.