For the victim of gang violence that turned to attempted murder
charges over the weekend, the harassment didn’t end with the arrest
of five admitted Sureno street gang members, Hollister police said
Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Hollister man who reported the Saturday incident
was harassed by other members of the same gang and now fears for
his welfare, Hollister Police Det. David Godoy said.
For the victim of gang violence that turned to attempted murder charges over the weekend, the harassment didn’t end with the arrest of five admitted Sureno street gang members, Hollister police said Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Hollister man who reported the Saturday incident was harassed by other members of the same gang and now fears for his welfare, Hollister Police Det. David Godoy said.
Natanahel Aquino, 18, Paulino Roman, 18, Jose Aguilar, 21, and two juveniles, ages 16 and 17, all of Hollister, were arrested Saturday and charged with attempted murder, assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and gang enhancement.
“After the individuals were taken into custody, they must have called their friends up to go to the victim’s house and show a display of force,” Godoy said. “The victim was not hurt in any way, however.”
Police are trying to keep much of the information confidential because the victim is worried for his safety as well as his family’s, Godoy said.
The suspects were on a hunt for harassment at the time of the shooting, Godoy said.
“The five local and admitted Sureno gangsters were out looking for trouble,” he said. “The victim followed the suspects to try to report harassment and that’s when the suspects started shooting at him.”
The suspects had been heckling the victim by throwing rocks at him in the vicinity of Wright Road and Highway 25, according to a written police statement.
At least one suspect has been confirmed to have shot a .22-caliber handgun at the victim after the incident escalated, although there may be more, Godoy said.
“The victim believes at least two of them were shooting at him, but could only I.D. one,” Godoy said.
Shell casings matching the .22-caliber handgun police confiscated from the suspects were found on the 2400 block of Buena Vista Road.
The victim contacted police with his cell phone.
HPD Sgt. Greg Thul, on directions from dispatch, located the suspects on Flynn Road and, with the help from backup units, apprehended the five suspects and took them into custody, Godoy said.
When the victim began following the suspects in the first place, he didn’t realize “what he was stepping into,” which is why he is now apprehensive of his well-being, Godoy said.
The suspects are being held in the San Benito County Jail and juvenile hall.
