Jesus Sosa arraigned on multiple charges including robbery

UPDATE: 7/8/16 3:20 PM: Jesus Sosa, 19, appeared in court Friday for arraignment on multiple charges including robbery. Sosa and a 17-year-old face multiple charges related to the robbery of a Salinas tortilla factory Thursday.

Prosecutors say 17-year-old will be tried as an adult. Both men have requested a public defender. Their next court appearance is set for July 19th.

UPDATE 7/8/2016 2:15 PM: Jesus Soza appeared in court Friday for arraignment on charges related to an attempted robbery that resulted in an officer-involved shooting.

UPDATE 7/7/2016 4:57 PM: Two teenagers are facing charges after investigators say an armed robbery led to an officer-involved shooting and high-speed chase in Salinas. Jesus Nunez Sosa, 19, and a 17-year-old boy are facing charges involving robbery, guns, evading police and resisting arrest. Sosa’s bail is around $350,000.

Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo said at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday at least two Salinas police officers responded to a reported robbery at Jose’s Tortillas near Prader and Rianda streets in Salinas.

Three of the four employees were confronted by two male suspects, armed with shotguns, with their faces covered. Flippo said the suspects may have fired a round into a locked door behind which money was kept. A fourth employee called 911 for help.

Flippo said the suspects may have discarded their weapons outside before returning to the building. When they walked out again, they were met by police.

“There were some shots fired, we believe by the Salinas police officer,” Flippo said.

The suspects then jumped into a car and sped off. Authorities say that’s when a high -speed chase began. The suspects drove in the opposite direction on Monterey Road and tried to turn right onto San Luis Street. Instead, they crashed into a Bank of America sign. That’s where they were caught and arrested.

“I think they showed a great deal of restraint. They resorted to use of Tasers. Also a K-9 was engaged and eventually both suspects were taken into custody,” Flippo said.

Flippo said the suspects have ties to the Norteno gang.

“We anticipate that once our reports are done that this will be reviewed by our gang prosecution unit for actual charges that would be filed in court,” Flippo said.

The 17-year-old suspect was taken to Natividad Hospital for an ankle injury. It’s unclear if he was shot, bitten by the K-9 or hurt during the crash. Neither the officers nor the employees were hurt.

“I was concerned about my employees first,” said Jose Solis, owner of Jose’s Tortillas. “You know like the machinery, well maybe they broke something from the machine but you know, that’s material. It’s nothing. You can replace that. What I was concerned about was my employees, the safety of my employees, but they’re OK.”

Per new policy, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is the investigating agency. Once they were notified about the incident around midnight, 10 investigators were on the scene within 30 minutes. Other local law enforcement agencies assisted in the incident. The California Highway Patrol assisted at the scene of the crash, while the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office not only helped at the scene but provided coverage throughout the city during the incident.

UPDATE 7/7/16 11:38 AM: Two teens are facing multiple charges after they’re accused of trying to rob a tortilla factory armed with shotguns in Salinas Wednesday night. The investigation is being handled as an officer-involved shooting after the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said shots may have been fired by police who responded to the scene.

Investigators said at about 10:17 p.m., Jesus Nunez Sosa, 19, and a 17-year-old boy, confronted four employees with at Jose’s Tortilleria on Rianda St. holding shot guns and wearing face masks. They said the suspects may have fired one shot at a door leading to a room where money was kept and the teens tried to get away with cash.

An employee inside the business called 9-1-1 and two Salinas police officers responded. The DA’s office said both suspects possibly got rid of their guns, shortly before walking outside where police were waiting for them.

“There were some shots fired, we believe by the Salinas police officer,” Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo said.

Investigators said the teens initially got away, drove off in a car and crashed near Monterey Street and E. San Luis Street. But police caught up with them.

“I think they showed a great deal of restraint, they resorted to use of Tasers, also a K9 was engaged and eventually both suspects were taken into custody,” Flippo said.

Both officers who responded to the scene were not injured but investigators said Sosa ended up with a hurt ankle. Sosa was booked at the Monterey County Jail and the 17-year-old is still being treated at the hospital. The DA’s office said it still needs to interview the officers who initially responded to the scene.

This investigation marks the first since a major policy change in the handling of officer-involved shootings by the Salinas Police Department in June. The Monterey County DA’s Office is now tasked with managing any future investigations.

Chief Kelly McMillin said the change was sparked by recent recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice, as it identified ways to improve the department’s relationship with the community.

The DOJ had been working with Salinas police to add layers of transparency after continuing criticism from the public following internal investigations into four officer-involved shootings in 2014. All officers in each case were cleared of any wrongdoing.

KION’s Mariana Hicks is working on this story and will have more at 5 & 6.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office says it is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Salinas Wednesday night.

Officers responded to scenes at Prader St. and Rianda St. and Chase Bank on S. Main St.

The DA’s Office said it patrolled the city while Salinas Police handled the situation.

A local business owner says the business next to him, Jose’s Tortilleria, had been broken into and the owner showed up to the scene Wednesday night.

A reporter is on scene. This article will be updated as more information is released.