Campbell police arrest two on multiple charges, including obstructing official business

Staff report

CAMPBELL

A utility operator at the city’s water plant appeared in Campbell Municipal Court on Friday morning to answer to charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

Maria E. Molina, 22, of Sixth Street in Campbell, was released on her own recognizance, and will next appear in court for a pretrial hearing Aug. 1.

Also appearing in court Friday was Molina’s boyfriend, Luis A. Santiago, 22, of the same residence. Santiago — who posted a $6,500 bond — answered to charges of driving under suspension, obedience to traffic control devices, obstructing official business, and fleeing and eluding police. He will next appear in court for a pretrial Aug. 5.

About 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, city police noticed a car fail to stop at a red light on Sixth Street. The officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the car continued northbound without slowing down or stopping. The driver, later identified as Santiago, eventually stopped the car in the driveway of a Sixth Street residence — his residence.

Santiago then emerged from the car and began walking toward the officer. He threw his keys to Molina, who was at that time peering around the corner of the house, and he continued to disregard the officer’s commands until he eventually was arrested.

Molina, too, repeatedly ignored the officer’s request to go back inside the house, and began a verbal tirade against him. She was arrested after a struggle with police.

According to the report, Molina seemed to be highly intoxicated, due to her aggressive behavior, loud speaking and a strong odor of alcohol on her breath — along with her refusal to comply with police.