Crime

PASO ROBLES -- A sports car is turning heads at the California Mid-State Fair.

It was seized from a convicted drug dealer in Atascadero.

Now, it is being used to teach kids about the dangers of drugs.

Between the roar of its engine and its unusual body type, the 1994 Dodge Viper is stealing the show at the fair.

"I just walked around and I saw the car and I was like wow," said Jose Martinez, a fair visitor.

The Viper belongs to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.

Its previous owner was a drug dealer.

Narcotics detectives seized the car nearly two years ago, during a major marijuana bust in Atascadero.

"Any proceeds that we get from an arrest or conviction on drug dealers, we try to use in a positive manner," said Commander Brian Hascall, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.

Los Osos Auto Body fixed up the car for free, so deputies say the Viper did not cost taxpayers a cent.

"It had

ATASCADERO-An Atascadero patrol officer noticed what appeared to be an occupied unmarked police car near a Shell Gas Station early this morning. The driver appeared to be talking on a mobile radio as the APD officer drove by. The officer subesqenly contacted the driver, later identified as Mark Ryan Polini. Polini was dressed in black BDU pants and black shirt and was wearing a California Highway Patrol baseball cap.

When questioned, it was determined Polini is not a police officer , nor is he affliated with any law enforcement agency. Polini consented to a seearch of his vehicle which revealed a loaded pistol, handcuffs, two badges, several “air soft” pistols and holsters, as well as an expandable police baton.

THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. RELEASED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Dept. along with Gang Task Force personnel continue to look for two men wanted for questioning in connection with an assault with a deadly weapon in the Paso Robles area over the weekend.

#1 Salvador Solorio 28, DOB: 6-26-80 6' 200 lbs

#2 Frank James Rickey Sanchez, 25 DOB: 12-13-84 5-9 185 lbs

Vehicle remains a lowered white Chevrolet Blazer with tinted windows and racing rims. Photographs of the suspects are available at SLOMugs@co.slo.ca.us.

The pair allegedly were involved in an altercation in the 5000 blk of Weeping Willow Way in rural Paso Robles in which one of the suspects discharged a firearm that grazed a subject. The person struck refused medical attention.

NEAR PASO ROBLES -- An apparent murder-suicide, involving an elderly couple, is unraveling in rural Paso Robles.

The man and woman, who have not been identified, were found on the floor of their home near the airport, just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Another person who lives at the home found the couple and called 911.

Investigators say it appears both were shot to death.

"At this point it appears to be a murder-suicide, but obviously we have to go through the forensic evidence, we have to interview witnesses and that type of thing before we can actually indicate that that's what happened," said Rob Bryn, a spokesman for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.

Your Central Coast News spoke with one neighbor who describes himself as their very good friend and he is in disbelief.

"It's not something that you want to see, you know?" said Denny Colbert. "Just terrible."

They pronounced the man dead at the scene.