Identity released of man suspected of deadly crime spree in Monterey County

Monterey County sheriff’s deputies released the name and picture of the man they said is suspected of going on a deadly crime spree across Monterey County Friday.

Anthony Romero, 19, was booked at Monterey County Jail on one count of homicide, one count of attempted homicide, three counts of robbery, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count for violation of probation.

Romero allegedly robbed several people and killed a Salinas business owner. Sheriff’s deputies said the three separate robberies started with a carjacking and all are linked to Romero.

The owner of the More or Less 99 Cent store in Salinas was found by his wife shot to death inside of his car at Creekside Terrace and Reservation Road in Salinas off of Highway 68.

Shortly after, two men were robbed and one was shot in Castroville while walking to work on Del Monte Avenue.

Then a high school student was robbed at a bus stop in Castroville.

A family friend of the business owner who was killed spoke exclusively with News Channel 5. “He was complying with everything the gunman was telling him to do. He asked for his money, his car keys and he gave him all of that, but still ended up shooting him in the head,” said Sam Oh.

At the request of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, News Channel 5 is not yet releasing the identity of the business owner.