July 4, 2026 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that on July 2, 2026, at 8:14 A.M., Deputies responded to the area of Cornwall Street and Bellinzona Avenue, Salinas, after a concerned neighbor reported several subjects outside of a silver 2010 Chevrolet Traverse drinking “Buzzballs” and urinating in public.
Sheriff Tina M. Nieto emphasized that the incident demonstrates the value of community members speaking up when something doesn’t seem right.
“This case highlights the important role our community plays in keeping Monterey County safe. A concerned neighbor made the call, and our deputies responded professionally to a situation that proved to be much more serious than it first appeared. Public safety is strongest when our community and law enforcement work together.”
When deputies arrived, they contacted seven occupants inside the vehicle, several of whom appeared to be under the age of 21. Deputies smelled the strong odor of alcohol coming from within the vehicle and saw numerous empty “Buzzballs” on the floorboards.
As deputies attempted to detain one of the occupants, a 15-year-old male juvenile, he became combative, refused to follow directives, and actively resisted the deputies. During the struggle a 20-year-old passenger, later identified as Elizabeth Sandoval of Salinas, began to interfere with the deputy’s efforts to arrest the juvenile by pushing the deputy. Sandoval was pepper sprayed while the 15-year-old juvenile was tased. The 15-year-old then attempted to flee but fell into a ditch on the side of the road. Both Sandoval and the 15-year-old juvenile were handcuffed and arrested.
During the commotion, two male occupants and one female fled on foot down the drainage ditch. Deputies later searched the vehicle and found a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” under the rear passenger seat.
AMR and Fire responded to the scene and medically assessed the arrestees. The 15-year-old juvenile was transported to Natividad Hospital by AMR and was later cited and released into the custody of his parents. Sandoval and another female occupant, 29-year-old Martiza Aguilar of Watsonville, were transported and booked into the Monterey County Jail.
Through continued investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives identified another 15-year-old male juvenile as the individual who possessed and concealed the “ghost gun” before fleeing the scene. They later located him at his residence where he was arrested and later booked into Monterey County Juvenile Hall.
As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested or cited on the following charges:
Elizabeth Sandoval was booked into Monterey County Jail on charges of:
- 69 PC Resisting an Executive Officer, Felony
- 32 PC Accessory After the Fact, Felony
- 241(c) PC Battery on a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor
- 148(a)(1) PC Delaying, Resisting, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor
The 15-year-old juvenile was cited and released from Natividad Hospital for:
- 148(a)(1) PC Delaying, Resisting, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor
- 647(f) PC Public Intoxication, Misdemeanor
- 241(c) PC Battery on a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor
Maritza Aguilar was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of:
- 272(a)(1) PC Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Misdemeanor
- 23222 CVC Open Container of Alcohol in a Vehicle, Infraction
The other 15-year-old juvenile was booked into Monterey County Juvenile Hall on numerous weapons charges as well as delaying, resisting, and obstructing a peace officer.
Source & photos: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
