A Hollister Police Sergeant was injured Tuesday in a collision after a long vehicle pursuit that ended in Hayward, CA where three suspects were arrested.
On September 19 around 9:57 p.m. Officer Don Tong attempted to stop a vehicle around the intersection of Fourth and East Streets in Hollister. The vehicle didn’t yield and sped away. Other patrol units joined the pursuit as the suspect drove around the City of Hollister.
Sergeant Michael Paddy was the third patrol car in the pursuit. His vehicle’s lights and siren were activated as he entered an intersection. An SUV failed to yield to the police car’s lights and siren and entered the intersection directly in Sgt. Paddy’s path. The two vehicles collided, causing severe damage to both vehicles. Sergeant Paddy was taken to a local hospital and treated for several injuries. The driver of the SUV was also treated at the hospital. Both were later released.
Meanwhile, Hollister Police Department patrol units followed the suspect vehicle to the area of Highway 101 and Leavesley Road in Gilroy where the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit, which ended in Hayward.
According to a police press release dated September 20, three suspects were in the suspect vehicle: Chartanae Lovely (20) of Antioch, Davida Fortenberry (21) of Oakland and Laje Ford (22) also of Oakland.
While conducting further investigation, officers learned the suspects had taken several thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a local store and had discarded evidence of previous crimes out the vehicle’s window during the chase.
All three suspects were returned to San Benito County and booked on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, burglary, grand theft, possession of stolen property and destruction of evidence. The driver, Fortenberry, was also charged with felony evasion resulting in injury.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Officer Tong at the Hollister Police Department at (831) 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at (800) 87-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
