Hollister’s police chief Wednesday expressed frustration after two arrests linked to accusations of sexual assault at a local daycare and urged residents to report crimes regardless of immigration status.
Hollister police arrested a couple running a daycare center suspected on accusations linked to a sexual assault investigation, according to a Hollister Police Department report released Wednesday afternoon.
“This is the kind of stuff that obviously drives parents kind of crazy,” said Hollister Police Chief David Westrick on Wednesday afternoon. “It’s very frustrating for folks that have kids this age. They’ve tried their darndest and then this happens.”
The department was first notified of accusations that a child was being inappropriately touched while attending a daycare off Howard Court in Hollister within the “last couple weeks,” according to the chief and a statement released by the department.
Police alleged the suspected offender was the daycare provider’s husband, Alberto Ramirez, who was placed under arrest July 10 for multiple counts of lewd acts upon a child, attempted lewd acts, and continual sexual abuse of a child, according to police. The total bail amount was $600,000, according to the statement.
During the investigation, detectives learned the man’s wife, Josefina Ramirez, had not complied with required childcare licensing regulations, police alleged. Josefina Ramirez was arrested July 14 and booked at the county jail as an accessory, according to the statement.
Police believe the suspects were targeting victims who are undocumented, perhaps as “a tactic to avoid detection because people who are undocumented may be less likely to seek assistance from police,” the statement explained.
“So what we believe is there’s a possibility that the suspect or suspects may be targeting those folks that may not want to call us because they feel inhibited,” Westrick said. “And what we are saying is, we will investigate all crimes regardless of whether you’re documented or not.”
This daycare has been in operation in Hollister since 1995, according to the statement.
The Hollister Police Department investigates criminal offenses against any of its community members regardless of immigration status, the statement said. If there are other victims, they are urged to contact the Hollister Police Department, the statement continued.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hollister Police Department detectives at (831) 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
