Group of men accosts locals
Two recent confrontations occurred involving groups of men
approaching local residents.
At 1 a.m. on Aug. 13 near the intersection of South and Sally
streets, two male victims were chased by seven to eight Hispanic
males. When the group caught up with the victims, they demanded
money and the two gave them the small amount they had. There were
no reported injuries.
Then at 4 p.m. on Aug. 16, three people were talking outside of
a residence on the 1200 block of Line Street when a van pulled up
and several Hispanic males in their late teens or early 20s got out
of the van and attacked one of the three men and quickly left the
scene.
Police said the victim sustained a facial injury. No further
suspect information was available and the case is still under
investigation.
Group of men accosts locals
Two recent confrontations occurred involving groups of men approaching local residents.
At 1 a.m. on Aug. 13 near the intersection of South and Sally streets, two male victims were chased by seven to eight Hispanic males. When the group caught up with the victims, they demanded money and the two gave them the small amount they had. There were no reported injuries.
Then at 4 p.m. on Aug. 16, three people were talking outside of a residence on the 1200 block of Line Street when a van pulled up and several Hispanic males in their late teens or early 20s got out of the van and attacked one of the three men and quickly left the scene.
Police said the victim sustained a facial injury. No further suspect information was available and the case is still under investigation.
Suspect involved in home invasion has attempted murder charge dropped
One of the suspects involved in the May 31 home invasion off Highway 156 had an attempted murder charge against him dropped Thursday in San Benito Superior Court.
According to his attorney Greg La Forge, Robert Gidding, 26, had the charge dropped after a follow-up investigation by both the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office and the public defender’s office.
Even with the attempted murder charge dropped, Gidding remains accused of first-degree residential burglary with two prior convictions; assault on a police officer; and conspiracy to commit the home invasion.
The charges stem from the May 31 incident when investigators allege Gidding, along with Joaquin McKenzie, 26, robbed two residents after binding them at a home in the 2200 block of San Juan-Hollister Road, near San Juan Bautista.
The original report said that after authorities arrived at a different location and happened upon the suspects, they arrested McKenzie but then a large, black vehicle began driving rapidly toward the officers. Deputies fired a total of about 15 rounds into an vehicle before the driver, Gidding, escaped. No injuries were reported from incident. About five hours later, a Hollister police officer recognized Gidding and arrested him, according to authorities.
McKenzie was charged with the six felonies, along with a special allegation with each count alleging he used a firearm, according to court records.
