Hollister police last week arrested a man on suspicion of numerous charges, including illegal possession of a firearm.
About 10:26pm Feb. 27, two Hollister officers were on patrol in the area of Sally and Hawkins streets when they saw a dark-colored BMW drive through an intersection without making a proper stop, according to a press release from Hollister police.
The officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver did not stop, police said. The driver, later identified as Johnny Ciccotti, 27, led the officers on a vehicle pursuit through residential neighborhoods and the downtown area.
The pursuit ended near North Sally and Maple streets, when Ciccotti exited the moving BMW and fled on foot, according to police. The car stopped when it collided with a curb and a tree.
With the assistance of the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, police formed a perimeter around the residential area into which Ciccotti ran on foot. Police deployed their K-9 dog, Freeze, and found Ciccotti after a brief search, police said. Ciccotti was found in the backyard of a residence, and did not resist any further after police found him.
After Ciccotti was arrested, a nearby resident flagged down officers and told them she found a handgun on the street, police said. Officers thought the handgun had marks consistent with the weapon being thrown from a vehicle. The weapon had been found in the area where the pursuit with Ciccotti had just occurred. A review of the patrol car’s video recording of the pursuit revealed an item being thrown from the BMW in the same area where the resident found the handgun.
Officers determined the handgun had been stolen from Alameda County, police said. Ciccotti is on parole in the same county.
Hollister Police also suspected the BMW had been stolen, but have so far been unable to contact the registered owner, according to authorities.
Ciccotti was arrested and booked on suspicion of a parole violation, felony evading, being a felon in possession of ammunition, being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and possession of a high-capacity magazine, police said.
Anyone with information about this case can call Hollister Police at (831) 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
