Salinas cop draws fire during police chase

A Salinas cop was shot at last night after a high-speed chase that ended with two men booked for attempted murder of a police officer. 

According to a police news release, at about 10:30pm the officer tried to contact Abraham Ramirez, 27, and passenger Gabriel Zapata, 37, in the Long's parking lot on East Alisal Street.  The men fled when the officer approached and police say Ramirez fired several shots from a handgun at the officer and his vehicle while turning onto Peach Street from East Market Street. The chase ended in the area of Rossi and Victor streets when Ramirez lost control and ran into a pickup truck.

The officer used the front of his patrol car to pin Ramirez, who tried to exit the vehicle with his hands concealed, police say. The officer, whose name police are not yet releasing, was not injured. Nor did he fire his weapon.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salinas Police Department at  758-7250 or call the anonymous crime tip line at 775-4222, We-Tip at 1(800) 78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code “SPD831” to “847411.”