3 people arrested in Salinas in connection to an armed robbery

The Salinas Police Department arrested three people in connection with a stolen car possibly used in an armed robbery Tuesday.

Police said two women approached a man in a shopping center on East Alisal Street and asked to borrow his phone. When the man agreed, police said both women took off with the phone. Police said the victim chased after them when a third suspect in the car pointed a handgun at him before driving away.

Just after 4:30 p.m. an officer spotted a similar vehicle in that armed robbery on North Main Street near Harden Parkway, according to police.

After a high-risk traffic stop, police said they arrested the driver, Marcelino Quinonez. A black replica semi-auto pistol was also found under the driver seat. He was booked into Monterey County Jail.

Police said they arrested a 17-year-old teen and was booked into Juvenile Hall along with an adult passenger, who was arrested for outstanding warrants.

A third woman was released without charges along with her 18 month old son, said police.

An investigation is underway to determine if the suspects were responsible for the armed robbery.