Hollister Police Investigate A Violent Couple of Days
HOLLISTER—Authorities with the Hollister Police Department arrested one man and are looking for the public’s help in solving two other incidents.
Juan Esqueda, 31
The first of the three incidents was reported on Tuesday when a man in a older black pick-up truck approached a young girl who was walking her dog on Beverly Drive near Hillcrest Road.
The young girl told police that as the man approached he motioned for her to get into the pick-up. Fearing for her safety, the girl ran to a nearby home. The homeowner took in the youth and called the police.
“This could be an attempted abduction or a person just asking for direction,” Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso said. “We commend her for reporting the incident, and we will continue to investigate this case as a child abduction.”
The man was described as possibly in his 50’s with short grey hair and a large build. The pick-up truck was described as a smaller black pick-up with items in the back.
The second incident occurred on Wednesday, when police responded to a report of shots fired into a house. When they arrived they determined that over 20 shots were fired into a bedroom where juveniles were sleeping. There were no injuries during the shooting.
“We are still looking for a reason for the shooting” Chief Reynoso added. “These people appear to be good people with no gang affiliation with no history of trouble.”
A witness reported seeing a person running from the area and getting into a car before speeding away.
The last incident occurred on Wednesday morning at 2:45 when police responded to North Sally Street on a report of a man who had allegedly broken into a home. Officer Chris Wells responded and spotted a man matching the description standing outside the residence.
The man, identified as Juan Esqueda, 31 of Hollister was uncooperative and attempted to run away. An altercation ensued as Officer Wells attempted to detain him. During the struggle Esqueda was heard yelling that he had a gun and he attempted to reach into his waistband.
Officer Wells was able to get Esqueda under control and arrest him. During a search of his person, Officer Wells found a loaded handgun. A records check, revealed that Esqueda was a person on interest in a restraining order and prohibited from possessing any firearms.
He was transported to the San Benito County Jail. During a standard search a small package of a controlled substance was found on his person. Esqueda was booked under the following charges: unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing a loaded firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a controlled substance and bringing drugs into a jail. His bail has been set $150,000.
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