HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – February 20, 2021 – Hollister Police arrested a suspect for stolen vehicle and drugs charges. Police later executed a search warrant of suspect’s residence and recovered additional drug contraband and a firearm manufacturing tool.
On February 5, 2021, at 11:37 am, Hollister Police Sergeant Weiss responded to a report of a stolen vehicle after the car owner was notified by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that the vehicle had been involved in a collision. The car owner did not know his vehicle had been stolen.
By the time Sergeant Weiss made contact with the CHP officer investigating the collision involving the unreported stolen car, the CHP Officer advised the driver, Santiago Cavazos, had been booked into the San Benito County Jail for unrelated offenses discovered at the time of the collision. When Sergeant Weiss attempted to contact Cavazos at the county jail in regards to the stolen vehicle, he discovered Cavazos had already posted bail and released.
Later in the day, HPD Officer Garcia initiated a vehicle stop in the area of Sally Street and Hawkins Streets for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Cavazos. Sergeant Weiss alerted Officer Garcia of Cavazos being wanted in regards to the stolen vehicle. Cavazos was subsequently arrested for the unlawful taking of a vehicle. During the inventory search of Cavazos’ vehicle, officers discovered large quantities of marijuana, concentrated cannabis wax, psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms), alprazolam pills (generic for Xanax), various narcotics packaging materials and a scale.
Officer Garcia arrested Cavazos for multiple felonies associated to the possession and transportation of the contraband and possession for sales.
On February 18, 2021, Police Officers along with UNET Agents and San Benito Sheriff Deputies executed a search warrant at Cavazos’ residence. During the execution of the search warrant, officers located further evidence to support charges of possession of marijuana for illegal sales. Officers also located a firearm manufacturing tool, which is known to be used in the illegal production of firearms.
The Hollister Police Department would like to extend its appreciation to outside agencies that assisted during the investigation and execution of the search warrant. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer Garcia 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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Prepared by: Sergeant, R. Celano
Approved by: Interim Chief, C. Reynoso
# 20-2323
