The San Benito County District Attorney’s office has opened an
investigation into alleged police misconduct stemming from an
incident in which a Hollister officer may have harrassed a family
at gunpoint last week.
District Attorney John Sarsfield has assigned a staff member to
investigate the March 3 incident to determine whether a criminal
investigation is warranted.
The San Benito County District Attorney’s office has opened an investigation into alleged police misconduct stemming from an incident in which a Hollister officer may have harrassed a family at gunpoint last week.
District Attorney John Sarsfield has assigned a staff member to investigate the March 3 incident to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted.
“We are appointing an investigator and we are looking into it,” Sarsfield said Monday.
The Hollister Police Department is also continuing an internal affairs investigation into the incident. According to state law, during such an investigation the HPD cannot release information about the officer or the alleged incident.
Abram and Ester Lujan, who alleged the incident took place at their Park Street home, wrote a letter to Sarsfield requesting the district attorney’s office become involved. The letter was hand-delivered Friday by Henry Sumaya, a family friend and member of the Mexican American Political Association.
According to the Lujans, their family of five awoke March 3 to a loud commotion. Abram said he walked outside, at which time a police officer yelled profanities and pointed his gun at family members.
The officer, according to the Lujans, said he was looking for a prowler, whom the officer apparently witnessed run into the Lujan home.
The officer allegedly kicked down a door, ran through the house and eventually “confronted” Lujan’s sleeping 11-year-old granddaughter and pointed a gun at her face, according to Abram Lujan.
However, the officer’s police report and the family’s allegations contradict.
“The police report and what happened doesn’t jive,” Lujan said.
The report states the officer approached a light-skinned Hispanic male outside the Lujan home – whom the officer suspected was armed. The male reportedly ran inside the house and “forcefully closed the door” in the officer’s face. The officer reportedly then stuck his foot in the doorway to prevent the man from locking it. Then, after searching the home, the officer did not find the suspect.
According to the report, the officer stated family members yelled “that they did not know who I was looking for.”
Since the allegations by the Lujans of wrongdoing were published in the Free Lance March 5, Sumaya said support has spread throughout the local Hispanic community.
“The community is so enthused at what’s going on,” he said. “They want to participate.”
Also, MAPA and the county’s LULAC council have demanded changes in local law enforcement.
Sumaya has made further allegations the incident was racially motivated and demanded Pierpoint be fired for hiring an officer unfit for duty.
MAPA had planned a protest for March 9, but Sumaya said the group rescheduled it for Sunday at noon at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets. Sumaya said he has petitioned for a speaker from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to attend the rally.
Mickie Luna, a Hollister resident and state director of LULAC, said she received “many calls” on the issue from concerned residents.
At its monthly meeting Saturday, LULAC discussed the issue. Board members wrote a letter to the Hollister City Council requesting the involved officer be placed on administrative leave.
“Action must be taken immediately on behalf of the City Council and not be left up to the department head to suggest alternative actions,” the letter states. “This conduct jeopardizes the safety of all residents of this city.”
The letter states the incident caused the family “excessive trauma” and “total discomfort of their safety in the city.”
