A short, high-speed police pursuit of a man driving a stolen
vehicle ended Thursday in the rain-drenched parking lot of Nob Hill
when the Hollister resident slammed into a pillar of the food
store.
A short, high-speed police pursuit of a man driving a stolen vehicle ended Thursday in the rain-drenched parking lot of Nob Hill when the Hollister resident slammed into a pillar of the food store.
The chase happened at about 9:30 a.m., and the high-speed aspect of it lasted for about 15 seconds, according to a Hollister Police Department watch commander. Police officers caught him after he lost control of the stolen 1991 Isuzu Rodeo and spun a few times before hitting the store, according to police.
The suspect, Hollister resident Adrian Perez, 19, was taken to the hospital with unknown minor injuries and transported to the San Benito County Jail later Thursday, according to the watch commander, who requested anonymity.
Nobody else was injured, even though the pursuit led officers through an often pedestrian-heavy shopping center drive before halting in front of Nob Hill, according to the watch commander.
Nob Hill’s assistant store director, Bryan Leung, said a store bookkeeper told him she heard a loud noise and her office shook from the crash.
“It was a little more excitement than we anticipated for our new year,” Leung said.
Perez would be charged with felony evading of officers, theft of the vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle, said the watch commander early Thursday afternoon. The vehicle had been reported stolen “approximately three to four days ago,” the watch commander said.
The pursuit started when a police officer tailed Perez, who was driving eastbound on Tres Pinos Road. She checked the vehicle license plate and called for backup.
Perez turned right onto Airline Highway before turning right again into a drive next to Blockbuster Video, according to police. The officer had not yet activated her sirens, the watch commander said.
Perez accelerated in the drive between Target and another shopping center, causing the officer to turn on her siren, the watch commander said. After about 15 seconds of high-speed pursuit, the driver lost control, spun a few times and hit the food store.
Witnesses said at least three or four people were in danger while sitting or standing outside the store, the watch commander said. But the officer activating the siren alerted the pedestrians of a dangerous situation.
