Crime Briefs: North Monterey County

A man was arrested after he fled in his vehicle from a traffic stop and collided with another vehicle in unincorporated Monterey County near Royal Oaks on Saturday night, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies observed a white 1998 Saturn with expired tags and pulled the vehicle over near the intersection of Moro and Tustin roads near Prunedale at 7:18 p.m. Saturday.

During the stop, the driver of the Saturn, Anthony Martinez, 26, of Salinas, drove away and led deputies on a four-mile chase that ended with Martinez crashing into another vehicle at the intersection of San Miguel Canyon Road and Echo Valley Road, deputies said.

Martinez left his vehicle and attempted to escape on foot but was arrested shortly after.

Deputies searched Martinez and found what was believed to be methamphetamine in his pocket. During a search of his vehicle, deputies also found heroin, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff's office.

Martinez, who also had an outstanding felony arrest warrant, was booked into Monterey County Jail, deputies said.

The occupants of the other vehicle involved in the crash were not injured.

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A Prunedale man now faces up to 10 years and four months in prison being convicted on three felony battery charges for beating and threatening a Pacific Grove woman last year, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.

Gregory Casler, 43, was found guilty Friday on charges of inflicting great bodily injury on a former co-habitant, battery causing serious bodily injury and criminal threats, according to the district attorney's office.

Jurors deliberated for two hours before reaching a verdict Friday.

Prosecutors said that on June 11, 2011, Casler entered the victim's Pacific Grove home where he hit her in the face multiple times, causing her to fall and hit her head. The defendant then threatened the woman—referred to in court as Jane Doe—and kicked her all over her body, according to the district attorney's office.

The victim lost consciousness and Casler fled the scene, leaving her with two black eyes, a fractured jaw, and abrasions covering her face, among other injuries, prosecutors said.

Casler is set to be sentenced next month.

—Bay City News