Hollister police have identified a wanted suspect in the October homicide of 28-year-old Michael Cortez on East Street.
Police identified the suspect as Heriberto Onate Ramirez, 22, in relation to the homicide outside Agua Azul bar in the 700 block of East Street at about 2 a.m. Oct. 7. Police identified Ramirez but did not indicate details as to how he became a suspect.
The recent revelation is related to events in the early hours of Oct. 7 when police responded to the initial report of a traffic wreck involving a pedestrian and found two victims nearby – one from the collision and another from stab wounds to the torso area. Police at the time believed the traffic incident and stabbing were directly related.
According to the police statement released over the weekend:
An arrest warrant for Heriberto Onate Ramirez has been issued by the San Benito County DA’s Office for murder and attempted murder. All attempts to locate Heriberto Ramirez in Hollister have been unsuccessful. He is described as weighing 215 lbs, 5’ 10” tall with black hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He was last seen driving a silver colored 2007 GMC Sierra truck with California license plate 8W00530.
Anyone with information regarding the location of Heriberto Onate Ramirez is encouraged to contact local law enforcement. Heriberto Onate Ramirez is also known to go by the name “Beto Onate”. Heriberto Onate Ramirez is to be considered armed and dangerous.
The Hollister Police Department would like to remind its citizens that if you have information related to this investigation that you can always contact the department’s Gang Officer Matthew Weiss at 831-636-4330, ext. 132 with this information. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
