Police arrested five suspects after a severe beating and a gunshot being fired early Saturday morning on Caputo Court, according to the Hollister Police Department.
A large fight in progress was reported at about 4 a.m. in the 1000 block of Caputo Court.
A Hispanic male adult sustained injuries from being kicked, punched and having glass bottles broken over his head and face – after gang members had asked him where he was from and proceeded to attack him when he said he was not from Hollister, police alleged in a statement.
The victim was airlifted to a hospital and his condition is unclear.
After an officer had responded and pulled over a vehicle at Hillcrest Road, it turned out the vehicle included the victim and witnesses. Friends of the victim told police they were helping him get away and were shot at in the process.
Another suspicious vehicle drove by, and the officer requested police make contact with the car.
According to the statement: “Officer Michael Paddy located the car and attempted to make a car stop. The vehicle refused to stop and led Officer Paddy in a vehicle pursuit. SBSO Deputy Mike Mull joined the pursuit that ended when the suspect vehicle came to a stop in the alley behind Chase Bank on Tres Pinos Road. Three occupants ran from the vehicle. Officer Paddy noticed one of them had a gun in his hand and gave chase to the suspect as Deputy Mull detained four other suspects at gunpoint in the car.”
Sheriff’s Sgt. Kelly Burbank and Paddy cornered the suspect with the gun and took him into custody without further incident, according to police. Two other suspects got away.
Witnesses identified the occupants of the car as the beating suspects.
The following suspects were arrested and booked at the San Benito County Jail:
Jacob Vargas, 21, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy. David Villarreal, 24, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy. Stephanie Fernandez, 19, was arrested on suspicion of evading police, accessory and conspiracy. Larry Quiroz, 20, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, carrying a loaded firearm, being a felon with a firearm, being a gang member with a firearm, resisting arrest and conspiracy.
An additional 16-year-old suspect was booked at the San Benito County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.
Police noted that many of the witnesses at the party were uncooperative and that dispatchers received calls of “several people jumping fences, running away or hiding in the area” after the shooting.
It is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Hollister Police Department at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.
