Full Notification

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – May 26, 2020 – The Hollister Police Department responded to several calls for service including shootings, car collisions and an arson over the holiday weekend.   
 
On Saturday at about 9:00 pm, Hollister Police Officers responded to a report of shots being fired in the area of N. Chappell Road and Pacific Way.  Responding officers were able to observe a black Chevy Tahoe speeding from the area.  Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but it led officers in a short pursuit before the driver abandoned the car and ran through a home and out a back window before jumping fences and escaping.          
 
When other officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, they discovered there had been two shootings within 10 minutes.  Witnesses reported a mid to late 90’s Red Honda Civic occupied by several men wearing red bandanas, covering their faces.  The red Honda drove toward two men who were standing by another parked car in the area and one of the occupants of the Honda made a gang related statement toward the two men.  One of the occupants of the red Honda then shot at the car and the two men several times.  The men were not shot but the car was hit several times. 
 
A short time later, a black Chevy Tahoe occupied only by the driver also approached the same two men who were now busy changing the flat tire that had just been shot.  The driver of the Tahoe shot at the man changing the tire several times, striking him one time.  The suspect then fled the scene and was subsequently chased by the police but escaped. 

The shooting victim suffered one non-life threatening injury and is expected to recover.  
 
This is an ongoing investigation and police are asking for witnesses to please come forward with any additional information. 
 
At approximately 12:10 am Sunday, police responded to a call of shots fired at Central Avenue and Towne Alley.  Police discovered the victim had just driven to the area to drop someone off and was exiting Towne Alley when a newer grey colored vehicle turned into the alley from Central Avenue.  Someone in that car then started shooting at the victim and his vehicle.  The victim then drove away from the shooting area but crashed into a parked vehicle, a fence and then a home.  He was uninjured in the incident.  Police are also asking for any additional witnesses or anyone with information about this shooting to contact the police department. 
 
At approximately 12:30 am Saturday night/Sunday Morning, a vehicle crashed through the barricades that were closing off San Benito Street for the weekend activities.  The 2017 dark grey Mustang was seen driving at a high rate of speed on San Benito Street before crashing into the cement barricades.  The impact launched the Mustang into the air and came to a rest several hundred feet from the intersection of South Street.  The driver was transported to a trauma hospital with major injuries.  The cause of the accident is still under investigation. 
 
On Monday at about 7:00 pm, police and fire personnel responded to an arson fire behind City Hall.  Someone set fire to a porta-potty that had been located there due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The fire destroyed the porta-potty and damaged a city vehicle and part of the building.  The suspect was identified as transient, Marcos Antonio Moraga (46).  He was later contacted and arrested by police for the arson. 
 
The Hollister Police Department would like to thank our public safety partners; including the Hollister Fire Department, Hollister Public Works and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout the Holiday Weekend. 
 
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is requested to contact the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at
(800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.

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by: Carlos Reynoso, Interim Chief of Police