Salem cab driver has L.A. gang ties, authorities say

SALEM — Joseph Garivay came to Salem and wound up driving for Paul’s Cab Co.

Garivay, however, is charged in Los Angeles with aggravated murder, complicity to commit murder, and other counts.

Law enforcement officials say he was a “shot caller” — a gang member who decided who got shot.

Salem Police Detective David Talbert said Tuesday that Garivay was, “just a great citizen” for the approximately two years he was in Salem. He had no charges or legal troubles.

“He liked Salem, and wanted to start a new life,” Talbert said.

Driving a cab, the detective said, “was the first job he ever had.”

Talbert was contacted about Garivay late last year by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives in its unsolved case — or so-called cold case division — had received a tip that Garivay was in Salem.

For more, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com