Two of the men accused of battery against police in a Sept. 11 incident at the Hollister Elks Club—one of them faces a felony charge—are set to appear in court for continued arraignment hearings Tuesday.
Alexander J. Naccarato, 47, is accused of felony battery on a peace officer for the incident two months ago, according to Deputy District Attorney Ellen Campos, who’s handling the case. Campos noted Naccarato is accused of striking a police officer on the back of the head.
Ronald S. Martin, 52, is accused of a lesser misdemeanor count of the same charge. Both men are set for 2 p.m. Tuesday hearings at the San Benito County Courthouse.
Hollister police alleged that a large party at the Hollister Elks Lodge resulted in officers being assaulted when they tried to break it up. Police alleged on that Friday, they were called to the Elks Lodge on Astro Drive for a party of about 120 people that had resulted in heavy intoxication and fights. When security personnel told attendees to leave the building, police alleged, Naccarato approached a police officer and struck him. Another officer tried to assist and was assaulted by the group as well, police alleged.
On September 11, 2015, Hollister Police Officers were called to help break up a party at the Elks lodge. While officers were there, they were attacked by a group of men.
At about 11:30 pm Hollister Officers were called to the Elks Lodge located on the 300 block of Astro Drive. Security officers at the lodge advised there had been fights in the party and several people were heavily intoxicated. They estimated over 120 people were in attendance for a private party.
Officers from the Hollister Police Department, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol responded to assist. Officers were standing by while security personnel turned off the music turned on the lights and asked everyone to leave the building.
A man approached a Hollister officer and struck him. The officer pushed the man away and another man grabbed the officer around his neck. As officers attempted to arrest the second man, a large group of men swarmed the officers and began kicking, punching and jumping on the officers.
Other officers assisting the first officer were also attacked. At one point, a Hollister Officer was being punched while another man jumped on his back and tried to put the officer in a headlock. Several of the partiers also assisted in pulling away the suspects from police and assisted in their escape.
Several other fights broke out in the parking lot among the partiers and police were pelted with rocks as people left the party.
