Staff report
Hollister police officers arrested two local young men after receiving reports they were trying to burglarize vehicles in a neighborhood, according to authorities.
About 4:30am Aug. 26, officers were dispatched to the area of Calais Circle and Versailles Drive south of town, on a report of two men looking into parked vehicles. The caller provided a description of the two men and said they were seen peering into parked cars in driveways and parked on the street, police said.
Hollister Police Sgt. James Weathers and Officer Miguel Masso responded to the area and located two men who matched the description of the two prowling suspects, according to authorities. The two men discarded items when they noticed the police car approaching.
A witness was contacted and positively identified the two suspects as those seen looking into parked vehicles, police said. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the San Benito County Jail.
The two men were identified as Juan Luis Estrada, 18, and Angel Francisco Tejeda, 19, both from Hollister, police said.
The suspects smelled of burnt marijuana and spoke with slow and slurred speech when contacted by the officers, according to police. A search of the men revealed a large concealed knife and a BB gun that looked like a real handgun. The men were also found in possession of prescription pills, marijuana hash oil, ammunition and several other knives. Several items of suspected stolen property were also recovered.
Estrada was booked on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, prowling and carrying a concealed dagger, according to police. Tejeda was booked on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools and possession of a controlled substance.
“The Hollister Police Department would like to thank the community member for being vigilant and proactive in reporting the suspicious activity. Residents calling in and advising of a crime in progress is imperative to creating a safer community,” reads a press release from the Hollister Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations can contact Officer Miguel Masso at (831) 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
