Full Notification

Hollister, CA September 17, 2024 – The Hollister Police Department arrested a 15-year-old juvenile for willfully resisting and obstructing a peace officer during a large gathering of juvenile bicycle riders that obstructed part of Airline Highway and Hillcrest Road. Officers are also investigating a large group of juveniles who obstructed traffic on South Street, vandalized a vehicle, and assaulted the vehicle’s driver.
 
On September 14, 2024, Officer Hernandez observed a group of 30-40 juvenile bicycle riders impeding traffic at the intersection of Airline Highway and Hillcrest Road. The juvenile riders were in clear disregard of vehicular traffic. Officer Hernandez attempted to stop the large group of riders by activating his patrol vehicle lights. Instead, the large group of riders began to ride away, some recording with their cellphones and others doing bicycle ‘wheelies.’ The large group of riders were in clear violation of multiple California Vehicle Code (CVC) regulations. A 15-year-old juvenile who was wearing a mask, had a GoPro camera, and was recording the event with his cellphone was apprehended and arrested at the scene. He was booked for several charges.  Due to safety precautions and the juvenile riders attempting to get away by riding into vehicular traffic, officers decided not to pursue them further.
 
On September 15, 2024, officers received a report of vandalism to a vehicle and assault on a person at the 700 block of South Street. The victim reported that a group of juvenile riders was impeding traffic. When the driver attempted to get the attention of the juvenile riders, one of them vandalized the victim’s vehicle using his bicycle peg. Fearing this would continue, the driver attempted to drive away, but the juveniles followed. When the driver arrived at a stop sign, another juvenile rider punched the driver in the face. The victim was able to safely drive away and reach a safe location where he contacted the police.
 
This is still an ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this case is asked 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 of up to $1,000. 
 
The Hollister Police Department would like to notify the public about the dangers of riding bicycles unsafely and disregarding the rules of the road. Officers have been actively educating the community and enforcing laws against dangerous bicycle riding behaviors that put the rider or other drivers at risk. We would like to encourage parents to speak to their children about the dangerous of riding their bikes in an unsafe manner, riding in groups with others who disregard safety laws, riding a bike without considering traffic issues they create and place themselves and others in danger.
 
When riding a bicycle, please be aware of the following California Vehicle Code sections, Hollister Municipal Code and California Penal Code:
 

• 21202 CVC (Ride on right side of roadway) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

• 21212 CVC (Bicycle Helmets) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate (nor ride upon as a passenger) a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or wear in-line or roller skates, unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.

• 10.44.140 HMC Operating or riding bicycles or skateboards on sidewalks. No person shall operate or ride a bicycle or a skateboard on any sidewalk in the central traffic district. Any person who shall operate or ride a bicycle or a skateboard on any sidewalk outside of the central traffic district shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon.

• 21650.1 CVC (Ride against traffic) A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder of a highway, shall be operated in the same direction, as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.

• 148(a)(1) PC Every person who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs any public officer, peace officer, or an emergency medical technician, as defined in Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code, in the discharge or attempt to discharge any duty of his or her office or employment, when no other punishment is prescribed, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.