16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY November 23-29, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Monterey resident Leslie Joseph Flores has a full plate on his hands. City of Monterey building officials put him on notice almost a year ago for the dilapidated apartments he owns at 359 Larkin St. That was followed by officials red-tagging several units that were declared uninhabitable. In October, officials secured a warrant to enter and inspect the complex’s three buildings. A comprehensive notice detailing all the leaky roofs, broken water heaters and other problems is due to be delivered to Flores after Thanksgiving, an official says. The apartments are the least of Flores’ problems, however. On Nov. 5, Flores, 58, was arrested by Monterey Police as they were investigating a road-rage incident in the Monterey Vista neighborhood. Officers recognized Flores’ truck, and knowing he was out on bail for a past arrest, searched his vehicle, says Lt. Jake Pinkas. Inside they found an unserialized firearm, a so-called “ghost gun.” Flores was arrested on charges of possession of that firearm, as well as committing a felony while out on bail, and two other charges related to the weapon. He was booked in Monterey County Jail, where bail was set at $500,000; he was out shortly after. The road-rage investigation led police to Flores’ son, Les Flores, 28, who was accused of brandishing a weapon during the incident. Ten days later, on Nov. 15, MPD served a warrant on Les Flores. Their search uncovered a pistol, ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Les Flores was arrested that day on charges of violation of probation, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, criminal threats and a violation of the health code for narcotics paraphernalia. He was booked into Monterey County Jail on $30,000 bail, and has since been released. Over the years, the senior Flores has been involved in a number of criminal cases, mostly misdemeanors related to use of drugs and alcohol. He has one felony charge pending, stemming from a bar fight both he and his son were part of on St. Patrick’s Day in 2022, in downtown Monterey. The son pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge; the father was charged with felony assault. Flores was out on bail on the felony charge, but failed to show up in court as the case proceeded. He also had four misdemeanor warrants and two traffic warrants outstanding when MPD caught up with him on Sept. 17, and according to MPD, Flores tried to flee as police were apprehending him. In the scuffle, Flores allegedly attempted to disarm an officer’s Taser. He was taken into custody on the seven warrants and additionally charged with resisting arrest and taking an officer’s weapon. Flores’ defense attorney, William Pernik, declined to be interviewed until Flores is arraigned; an arraignment hearing is set for Nov. 30. On Nov. 8—just three days after he was arrested on the weapons charges— Flores appeared before Monterey County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Hulsey for a hearing related to the felony assault charge. Caving In A Monterey landlord finds himself in trouble for more than just moldy apartments. By Pam Marino Evidence collected by Monterey Police and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit while serving a search warrant on Les Flores at a residence on Cielo Vista Drive. NEWS They found an unserialized firearm, a so-called “ghost gun.” COURTESY OF MONTEREY POLICE DEPARTMENT carmel plaza • 831-625-8106 • khakisofcarmel.com New Holiday Arrivals Carmel-By-The-Sea Showroom DiSplayS for Sale 70% OFF! Visit our showroom Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 26386 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite 104, Carmel www.carmelkitchens.com P.S. We are NOT going out of business! Inquiries: please email info@carmelkitchens.com or call (831) 624-4667 • Cabinets • Appliances • Hardware • Accessories • Decorative Plumbing *Take larger quantities—like leftover turkey fryer oil—to your local household hazardous waste collection facility Scrap the drain to protect critical infrastructure and the environment! ClogBusters.org TRASH* Cooking oil and grease GREEN CART Food scraps without a bag RECIPE FOR CLOG-FREE HOLIDAYS • Southern Monterey Bay Dischargers Group ReGen Monterey •
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