Police arrested two Hollister men on suspicion of carrying an illegal weapon last week after the men refused to yield to an attempted traffic stop, according to authorities.
About 10:43pm Jan. 17, Hollister Police Officer Evan Umstead was on patrol in the area of Rajakovich Drive and Fourth Street, when he attempted to stop a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle quickly sped off, according to police.
The vehicle eventually stopped at a business on Fourth Street, police said. Two of the vehicle’s four occupants ran out of the car and into the business. More officers arrived to assist, and Umstead went into the business, where he noticed one of the suspects exiting the women’s bathroom.
Umstead was able to detain both suspects, later identified as Jose Concepcion Rodriguez, 28, and Eusebio Rojas, 25, according to police. Both are Hollister residents.
While searching the area, officers found a handgun had been discarded into a trash can inside the women’s restroom at the Fourth Street business, police said. The gun was fully loaded.
Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a loaded firearm while being a documented gang member and carrying a loaded weapon that is not registered to him, according to police.
Rojas was arrested on suspicion of allowing a loaded firearm in his vehicle and driving on a suspended license, police said. The other two occupants of the vehicle were released at the scene.
Anyone with information about these investigations can call Officer Evan Umstead at (831) 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
