San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a former Monterey
County Sheriff’s deputy for allegedly pointing a stolen gun at a
female driver in a fit of road rage Saturday morning, according to
police.
Hollister – San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a former Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy for allegedly pointing a stolen gun at a female driver in a fit of road rage Saturday morning, according to police.
Hilton Dyar, 64, of Seaside was charged with misdemeanor brandishing a firearm and felony receiving stolen property after allegedly pointing a loaded, stolen semi-automatic handgun at a female driver on Highway 156, San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici said.
After the victim called 911 from her cell phone and gave a description of the suspect and his vehicle, police pulled Dyar over on Highway 156 near the Alameda at 9:40am and found a loaded H&K 9mm pistol behind the driver’s seat. The gun later turned out to be stolen, Turturici said.
“This is an unusual, unfortunate incident,” he said.
The victim, who police declined to name, told police that a man had been tailgating her, pulled up along side her and pointed a black gun at her, Turturici said. The victim called police from her cell phone with a description of the car and license plate number.
Police took Dyar, who was driving a car that fit the victim’s description, into custody. Dyar denied both charges and said the gun was given to him as a gift by another deputy, Turturici said.
Monterey County Undersheriff Nancy Cuffney said Dyar worked as a correction’s officer for Monterey County from 1977 to 1993, and had little information to provide regarding Dyar’s time at the department.
Cuffney was unaware if Dyar had been involved in any incidents during his tenure at the department, and said that even if he had been, internal affairs records are only retained for five years. Because Dyar retired 12 years ago, any documentation stemming from an investigation would have been destroyed.
“It’s been way too long to even comment. And it’s probably not appropriate for our personnel to comment,” Cuffney said. “I don’t know anything about the investigation. We’ll have to wait and see what evolves out of their (San Benito Sheriff’s Department) case.”
Staff Writer Brett Rowland contributed to this report.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
