Hollister police arrested a carjacking suspect after a vehicle theft at the local hospital Saturday and a subsequent pursuit.
Police arrested Robert Freedman, 28, of Gilroy after a high-speed chase on local roadways that ended on Bloomfield Avenue where the vehicle crashed into trees.
Police received the initial report at about 3 p.m. Saturday. Freedman is accused of finding the victim seated in an idling vehicle with the driver’s door open in the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital parking lot. He struck the victim, knocking her to the ground, and then fled in the car, according to Hollister police.
A Hollister police officer spotted the vehicle at Hillcrest Road and Highway 25 and attempted a traffic stop, leading to the pursuit. That chase ended up northbound on Highway 25. Eventually, it involved Hollister police, the county sheriff’s office and the California Highway Patrol, which was able to track the suspect from a helicopter as the pursuit continued northbound on Frazier Lake Road and then eastbound on Bloomfield Avenue. On Bloomfield, Freedman lost control of the vehicle and crashed into trees, causing a total loss for the car.
Police took him into custody and booked him into the San Benito County Jail on suspicion of carjacking, evading arrest with disregard to public safety, possession of stolen property and assault with a deadly weapon. He had drug-related warrants out for his arrest as well.
Hollister police in the statement thanked the sheriff’s office and CHP. Anyone with information is asked to call (831) 636-4330 or the anonymous WeTip line at 800-78-CRIME.
