Full Notification

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – December 7, 2023 – On December 4^th at 5:21 pm, Hollister Police officers responded to the 800 block of Westside Blvd. regarding the report of a shooting. The investigation revealed that a silver vehicle pulled up next to two occupants in another vehicle and fired several rounds from a handgun into that vehicle. There were no major injuries reported.  
 
Officer Bryce Morgan conducted follow-up investigation using the city’s newly installed FLOCK cameras, an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, and was able to determine the exact vehicle involved in the shooting. That information led our patrol officers to respond to Watsonville, where we arrested one juvenile suspect with the assistance of the Watsonville Police Department and Santa Cruz Probation. We transported that minor back to San Benito County for booking at the Youth Services Center.
 
On December 6^th, our officers traveled back to Watsonville with a search warrant for a residence in unincorporated Watsonville. With the assistance of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, we located the suspect vehicle from the shooting and seized it as evidence.
 
The FLOCK network, recently approved by the City Council, is still in the installation process. The cameras, along with the Raven gunshot detection system is being installed around the city. Fortunately, the camera close to the shooting had recently been made operational.
 
“FLOCK Systems were integral to our solving this case so quickly.” said Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso. “We used this system exactly as intended; to identify suspects in crimes and build a criminal case against them, and bring them to justice swiftly.” He added, “I want to extend our thanks to Watsonville Police officers, deputies from the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Cruz Probation officers for their assistance.”
 
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding these investigations are requested to contact The Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4331. 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:  B. Leland,Sergeant                                                                
Approved by:  C. Reynoso, Chief of Police
 
Case #23-3575