Hollister police officers arrested a suspected gang member who
was threatening police in the area of Seventh and Monterey streets
early Saturday afternoon, police said.
Hollister resident Jose Angel Juarez, 27, was arrested after
police shot seven beanbag rounds at him and sprayed him with pepper
spray when he appeared to be concealing a weapon and asking to be
shot and killed by police, according to a police-issued
statement.
Hollister police officers arrested a suspected gang member who was threatening police in the area of Seventh and Monterey streets early Saturday afternoon, police said.
Hollister resident Jose Angel Juarez, 27, was arrested after police shot seven beanbag rounds at him and sprayed him with pepper spray when he appeared to be concealing a weapon and asking to be shot and killed by police, according to a police-issued statement.
San Benito County Sheriff’s deputies and one California Highway Patrol officer responded to assist.
An off-duty probation officer reported that a person was lifting his shirt and flashing a large tattoo with the word “Norte” to motorists driving in the area, according to the statement.
Officers were notified that the suspect matched a description of a man who had been seen brandishing a gun at the 7-11 on San Benito Street in the past two days. Officer Paula Muro located Juarez in the area between South Street between East and San Benito streets, according to police.
When Muro approached Juarez she saw that he was concealing something in his hand under a jacket and two shirts. When asked to show what he was concealing, he instead removed his shirt and told her, “not to make me show you,” according to police.
“Don’t make me do this,” Juarez said, as he held his wrapped hand up, leading officers to believe he was holding something in his concealed hand.
When officers demanded he show them what was in his hand, he threatened to shoot the officers, and then commanded that the officers shoot him, according to police.
Juarez asked for police Sgt. Carlos Reynoso to shoot him because he wanted to die “with honor” and wanted “someone of rank” to kill him, according to police.
Reynoso fired at him with a “beanbag shotgun,” which can be appropriate for dangerous situations but is a less lethal means of force, Reynoso said.
“It’s not meant to kill,” Reynoso said, and compared it to a bb-gun. “It’s like an extension of a baton.”
Juarez was shot at with seven rounds from the beanbag shotgun, but continued to wave his hands and refused to drop whatever he had in his hand, according to police.
While Juarez was distracted, Reynoso was able to get close enough to disable him with pepper spray. After a few seconds the spray took effect and Juarez dropped the clothing he was holding, revealing that he was actually not holding anything in his hand, police said.
He was detained and transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital to treat contusions and for medical clearance. It was later found that he was on parole, and it was determined that he was wanted in connection with a robbery in Santa Cruz County.
He is being held at the San Benito County Jail, and was arrested for threatening officers, resisting arrest and being under the influence of methamphetamine. The robbery charge is to be added, according to police.
No officers or bystanders were injured during the ordeal.
