Hollister police and other authorities Monday recovered guns and ammunition in a local raid and are now pursuing a wanted suspect, according to police.
At about 8 a.m. Monday, police recovered assault rifles, handguns and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from a home in the 1500 block of McCloskey Road, according to police. The suspect, Patrick Barraza, 47, was not home at the time of the raid and is wanted by police.
Police in a statement alleged the guns were stored from criminal street gang activity.
According to the announcement:
On May 4, the Hollister Police Department with assistance from multiple agencies recovered several illegal weapons and ammunition during a morning raid in Hollister.
Over the course of several weeks, Hollister Police Officers have been developing information related to a large amount of firearms being stored in the Hollister area. The information alleged firearms were being stored for use by criminal street gang members.
A search warrant was conducted yesterday with assistance from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, San Benito County Probation, UNET and the United States Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force.
At about 8:00 a.m., officers and agents arrived at a home located on the 1500 block of McCloskey Road. Officers had to force entry into the home. The suspect in this case, Patrick Barraza (47) was not home at the time but police located three family members in the home.
A search of the house recovered the following items; 15 rifles including 3 AK-47/SKS assault rifles, 3 handguns, three ballistic vests, several bags filled with high capacity magazines including at least one 100 round magazine. Police estimate over 3,000 rounds of ammunition were also recovered in boxes and bags along with the firearms.
Patrick Barraza has not been located and is wanted by the police department. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or on this case is asked to call the Hollister Police Department at 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-87-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
