Morgan Hill
– A Hollister man was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of
assaulting a man and stealing his money, then attempting to flee
from police.
Morgan Hill – A Hollister man was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of assaulting a man and stealing his money, then attempting to flee from police.
The 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and possession of stolen property, Morgan Hill police Cmdr. Joe Sampson said.
A 36-year-old Morgan Hill man also was booked into the county jail. Authorities suspect he was driving the get-away car, Sampson said. He is suspected of aiding and abetting in the commission of a felony.
The victim, Marina resident John Simmons, 49, was in the Simple Beverages liquor store at the corner of Monterey Road and East Third Street in downtown Morgan Hill at 7:40pm. According to Simmons’ statement to police, he was getting ready to make a purchase, and the Hollister man, from behind him, asked Simmons if he had seen him standing there and why he had cut in line, telling him to show some respect.
Simmons let the Hollister man move ahead in line, Simmons told police. When it was Simmons’ turn to pay, he pulled out a money clip containing about $2,000 in $100 bills, and police believe the Hollister suspect apparently saw the money before he left the store.
Outside the store, Simmons contended to police, the Hollister man began bothering him further about disrespecting him in the store, Sampson said.
Grabbing the pocket where Simmons had put his money clip, the Hollister suspect ripped it, snatching the money and running off, Sampson said. He ran behind Rosy’s at the Beach and, with Simmons following, got into a Honda car. Simmons was able to get a partial license plate number before the car sped off.
Dispatchers were able to locate the Morgan Hill man from the car description and plate number. An officer found the two suspects in the Honda in a driveway. When the Hollister suspect refused to obey orders, an officer stunned him with a Taser gun.
He was cleared by medical personnel before being booked into county jail. Officers found Simmons’ driver’s license, two debit cards with Simmons’ business name on them, $1,000 in cash and a $600 check belonging to Simmons.
