Full Notification

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – March 22^nd, 2024 – Hollister Police officers and San Benito Sheriff’s deputies arrested two Hollister residents after two reported vehicle thefts, and a pursuit in which one of the suspects intentionally rammed two Sheriff’s Office vehicles and struck a deputy. The pursuit ended in San Juan Bautista after a solo-vehicle collision.
 
At about 1:48 am, Hollister officers responded to a call of a stolen white Corvette from the 1000 block of El Cerro Dr. An alert was issued and a SBSO deputy located that vehicle, along with an additional reported stolen white Camaro, traveling southbound on Fairview Rd. at Santa Ana Rd. The Camaro drove erratically, intentionally preventing the deputy from getting closer to the Corvette. The Camaro and Corvette turned eastbound on Lone Tree Rd, where the Corvette soon disappeared. SBSO deputies and HPD officers pursued the Camaro at moderate speeds to the summit and termination of Lone Tree Rd.
 
At the summit, the Camaro turned and intentionally rammed two SBSO vehicles. A deputy at the scene was forced to throw his K9 partner out of the way of the Camaro, and the Camaro struck the deputy in the process. The California Highway Patrol attempted twice to use “spike strips” to disable the suspect vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The suspect vehicle accelerated, began driving erratically, at a high speed and “blacked-out.”  The Camaro eventually lost control and struck a pole in the area of  SR-156 west of Monterey St. in San Juan Bautista. The 17 year old driver and his 18 year old passenger were both arrested. The driver was uninjured, and the passenger suffered moderate injuries. The passenger is expected to recover. The Corvette was turned over to the owner.
 
The SBSO deputy who was struck during the pursuit was treated at a local hospital and released. He is expected to make a full recovery. His K9 partner was uninjured.
 
The 17 year old juvenile driver was lodged at the San Benito County Youth Services Center on charges including vehicle theft, evading a peace officer in a reckless manner, conspiracy, and several counts of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon. The 18 year old passenger faces charges including vehicle theft.
 
We would like to thank CHP and the San Benito Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and relentless pursuit of these vehicle theft suspects. 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: R. Betanio, Captain
 
Case #24-0839 and 24-0840