Crime

An armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping that supposedly happened Feb. 10 on the 7600 block of Monterey Street near Fourth Street downtown was an elaborate lie to cover up what law enforcement now alleges is a case of felony embezzlement and filing a false police report.

Upcoming court dates for Gilroy crimes and matters. All hearings are scheduled for South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill, unless otherwise noted. 

Arnie Almaguer, 47, of Salinas, was identified as the person who died in the early morning car wreck on northbound U.S. Highway 101 south of Rocks Road, according to San Benito County Sheriff's Detective Terri Edwards.

Gilroy police incidents Feb. 28 through March 6

The Gilroy Police Department responded to an attempted murder at approximately 1:34 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports of a man with a gun near the area of 985 Monte Bello Drive in Gilroy.

A plea hearing for the five suspects accused of the Nov. 4, 2011 murder of Tara Romero was rescheduled Thursday.

The three suspects who robbed a south Morgan Hill jewelry store wore ski masks, and two of the men brandished handguns during the late-morning raid, police said. 

Morgan Hill police used an automated device that can read thousands of license plates in an hour to catch one suspect who allegedly tried to avoid paying his vehicle registration.