Suspect in Halloween crime spree in Monterey County pleads not guilty

The Salinas man accused of committing a string of robberies on Halloween morning and killing a local business owner pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Anthony Romero, 19, was arrested Friday after authorities say he robbed and killed a Salinas shop owner, robbed a man in Castroville and robbed a teenager waiting for a bus.

Romero appeared in Monterey County Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment on multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, three counts of robbery, one count of attempted murder and criminal threats. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denied multiple special enhancements for use of a firearm in those incidents.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkeley Brannon said Romero remains in Monterey County Jail with bail set at $5,115,000.

Romero is due back in court on Nov. 18 for setting a preliminary hearing date.

Meanwhile, services were to be held Tuesday for Paul Chung, the man prosecutors say Romero robbed and killed on Friday morning near Reservation Road. Chung’s wife found his body inside his car, sheriff’s deputies said.