Hollister
– Police issued an arrest warrant for 18-year-old homicide
suspect Gonzalo Munguia late Friday night after a failed three-day
search for the Sureño gang member.
Hollister – Police issued an arrest warrant for 18-year-old homicide suspect Gonzalo Munguia late Friday night after a failed three-day search for the Sureño gang member.
Munguia is wanted in connection with the homicide of Hollister teenager Daniel Gallegos Tuesday, Hollister Police Detective Sgt. James Weathers said. Police do not know if Munguia has fled the state, but alerts with his name and description have been sent to law enforcement agencies throughout California, said Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller.
Gallegos, 18, and his 16-year-old brother had been walking in the 200 block of Hillcrest Street in Hollister Monday shortly before midnight when Munguia and a 17-year-old juvenile suspect allegedly drove up behind them in a late-model Ford sedan. Police believe the two suspects got out of the car and walked toward Gallegos and his brother. The 17-year-old suspect was allegedly carrying a beer bottle and Munguia a crowbar, police said. A fight broke out between the four teens, police said. Later, the two suspects allegedly got back in the car and ran over Gallegos, possibly more than once, according to police. Both Munguia and the 17-year-old juvenile are documented members of the Sureño criminal street gang, according to police.
Gallegos, a Pinnacles Community School student preparing to graduate in December, later died of his injuries. His mother, Katherine Lara, told the Free Lance her son was not a member of any gang.
The 17-year-old suspect was arrested Wednesday around noon after police found the car believed to have been used in the murder in front of his home, according to Public Information Officer Rosie Betanio. The boy was arrested at his home and taken to the San Benito County Juvenile Hall. He was booked on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal street gang, all of which are felonies.
The car believed to have been used in the homicide was recovered Tuesday night around 8pm. Fingerprint experts from the California Department of Justice have examined the vehicle.
The homicide is still under investigation, Weathers said.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
