Police alleged a 38-year-old Hollister man stole a vehicle by deceiving a tow-truck driver into believing he was another person with a club card membership, according to the Hollister Police Department.
Police arrested Joe Parra and alleged vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor warrant, according to a statement from the HPD.
Authorities reported that around 2 a.m. Monday, a local tow truck company responded to a call in the 800 block of Industrial Drive, with the caller identifying himself as a member and saying his car would not start. After the suspect provided a club card, the driver towed the car to the 1200 block of Rancho Drive, police alleged.
The owner reported it stolen later in the day. Police then determined through surveillance that the tow truck driver had been involved and got in contact with the driver. That driver provided the address where it was towed, and police returned the car to the owner.
At about 9:30 p.m., Officer Luis Toribio found Parra on Memorial Drive, realized he had a warrant and was in possession of a controlled substance, and located the club card of the person victimized in the car theft, police alleged. Parra was later identified as the suspect who requested the tow. Police booked him into the San Benito County Jail.
Anyone with information should call Toribio at (831) 636-4330 or the WeTip anonymous line at (800) 78-CRIME.
