Suspect Walked Out Of The Store Without Paying
HOLLISTER—The Hollister Police Department have identified one of the four suspects in a two-day shoplifting spree thanks to the public’s help. Authorities arrested 37- year-old Aaron Gastelum of Hollister for shoplifting and outstanding warrants.
On Monday, December 8, The Hollister Police released surveillance photos of three separate shoplifting incidences that day and the day before. In one case, a man walked into the Safeway on Tres Pinos Road on Monday, and walked out without paying for the merchandise. The surveillance photos showed a man wearing dark colored clothing and a red sweat jacket, and a baseball cap with a 49’ers emblem on it.
3 other suspects are still wanted from the Rite Aid thefts.
Rite Aid on Airline Highway had been victimized twice on Sunday, at 2:40 pm and at 6:30 pm. A Hispanic man, and then a man and woman were caught in video images, but have not been identified. Police released the photos hoping that someone would recognize any of the four suspects.
On December 14, Hollister Police identified Gastelum as the man in the third incident wearing the red sweat jacket. Police paid him a visit at his home in Hollister and eventually took him into custody without incident.
Gastelum also had a felony warrant for drug and well as a prior burglary charge before this incident. He was arrested on November 8 for petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. And on July 3, he was charged with burglary, petty theft, and fraudulent use of a stolen credit card. He was transported to the San Benito County Jail and booked on the felony warrant and for the alleged shoplifting.
Gastelum is not new to the jail. He was arrested on Halloween 2012 on charges of burglary, and again on December 12 that year.
“The Hollister Police Department would like to thank everyone who helped identify this person.” Hollister Police Captain Carlos Reynoso wrote. The Hollister Police Department is still actively investigating the other two cases and is asking if anyone has information or can identify the other suspects to pleasecall the Hollister Police Department at 1-831-636-4330.
