2 ARMED ROBBERIES TOOK PLACE LAST NIGHT IN SALINAS. THE FIRST WAS AT 7:22 P.M. ON NORTH SANBORN ROAD AT THE SALTILLO TORTILLERIA, AND THE 2ND TOOK PLACE ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER AT THE EL MERCADO NOPAL ON WILLIAMS ROAD. IN BOTH INCIDENTS THE SUSPECT WAS DESCRIBED AS A HISPANIC MAN (IN HIS EARLY 20?S) WHO WAS WEARING A BLUE BANDANNA AND A BLUE DENIM JACKET AND CARRYING A CHROME SEMI-AUTOMATIC HANDGUN. AFTER DEMANDING AND GETTING THE CASH, THE SUSPECT FLED THE SCENE IN A LIGHT BLUE OR GREY COMPACT CAR. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THESE ARMED ROBBERIES IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

A DONATION FROM A LOCAL SERVICE CLUB MAY ENABLE THE MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF?S OFFICE TO ADD A CANINE MEMBER TO THEIR ROSTER. THE CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA ROTARY CLUB, ALONG WITH OTHER ROTARY CLUBS, HAS DONATED 30 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE SHERIFF?S OFFICE FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF TRAINING FOR A POLICE DOG. SHERIFF MIKE KANALAKIS PLANS TO ASSIGN THE DOG TO THE COUNTY JAIL IN SALINAS TO SEARCH FOR NARCOTICS LIKE COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINE AMONG INMATES. THE SHERIFF HOPES THE NEW DOG WILL BE IN PLACE IN A FEW MONTHS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE DOG?S EXPENSES AFTER THE FIRST YEAR WILL BE COVERED BY THE SHERIFF?S OFFICE.

A MAN FOUND DEAD IN A CAR IN SALINAS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE VICTIM OF THE 18TH HOMICIDE THIS YEAR IN SALINAS. THE 21 YEAR OLD MAN, FOUND SATURDAY MORNING AT THE END OF CALIFORNIA ALLEY DIED OF A GUNSHOT WOUND. THE WOUND DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SELF-INFLICTED. POLICE BELIEVE HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT THE TIME HE WAS FOUND

A SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT DETAIL IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ LED TO THE ARREST OF 20 PEOPLE ON FRIDAY NIGHT. ALL OF THE ARRESTS WERE ALCOHOL RELATED. THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT?S ALCOHOL ENFORCEMENT UNIT RESPONDED TO COMPLAINTS OF MINORS POSSESSING, CONSUMING AND APPROACHING PEOPLE FOR ALCOHOL NEAR PACIFIC AVENUE AND LAUREL STREET NEAR BIRCH LANE. 6 MINORS WERE ARRESTED FOR POSSESSING ALCOHOL, 4 PEOPLE FOR FURNISHING ALCOHOL TO MINORS, 3 FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND 1 PERSON FOR APPROACHING AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER TO PURCHASE THEM ALCOHOL.