Corner of Hawkins & Monterey (Credit: Google Maps)
HOLLISTER — Two Hollister juveniles spent St. Patrick’s Day behind bars after police found them in possession of a handgun and ammunition, following questioning related to a large fight which had been reported in the area shortly before.
Several people called police on Friday night after a fight erupted on the 900 block of Monterey Street. Responding officers received a tip that at least one of the people involved may be armed.
Both Hollister PD and San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputies converged on the area, though many involved in the incident had fled by the time they arrived. Officers managed to stop three people who matched descriptions given by concerned callers.
When officers attempted to make contact, two of the three were cooperative. The third, a juvenile who turned out to be carrying a loaded gun, tried to escape on foot but was caught a short time later.
A deputy told officers that the suspect had discarded the weapon in the back of a pickup truck as he was running, which they later recovered and confiscated.
Ammo for the gun was found in the possession of 18-year-old Manuel Garcia of Modesto, one of the cooperative two. One suspect also admitted to being an active gang member. Both were arrested for possession of a loaded firearm and ammunition with a felony conviction, resisting arrest, and probation violation.
