Hollister police Sunday night arrested two suspects after a
high-speed chase outside downtown, according to the police
department.
Hollister police Sunday night arrested two suspects after a high-speed chase outside downtown, according to the police department.
At 7:45 p.m., Hollister police officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. The driver did not stop and led police in a pursuit, but eventually arrested two suspects with assistance by California Highway Patrol officers and San Benito County sheriff’s deputies, according to a statement from police.
Officer Bo Leland was patrolling in the area of Fifth Street and East Street. Leland conducted a license plate check on a 1997 Honda Civic occupied by two individuals, according to police. The check of the license plate revealed the vehicle was stolen from San Jose, police alleged. Leland attempted to stop the car but the driver did not yield and attempted to elude police.
Additional Hollister police officers joined the pursuit as it continued onto the San Benito Street extension south of Nash Road, where it reached speeds of up to 70 mph. The suspect vehicle turned into a field off of San Benito Street south of Cienega Road. The vehicle became stuck, and the driver fled on foot through the field. The passenger in the suspect vehicle then moved over to the driver’s seat, according to police. Leland, who was now out of his patrol car, ordered the suspect out of the vehicle. The suspect placed the vehicle into reverse and accelerated toward Leland, nearly striking him.
The suspect vehicle then raced through the field and eventually onto Sunset Drive, according to police. Officers found the car crashed into a fence in front of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The 17-year-old driver was arrested as he attempted to flee the scene. He was booked into San Benito County Juvenile Hall, with recommended charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing a police officer in a reckless manner, resisting/obstructing a peace officer, possession of dirk or dagger, and assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.
Officers returned to the area of San Benito Street near Union Road and, with assistance from the CHP and San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, found and arrested the original driver. He was identified as Inderjeet Singh Bajwa, 23, of San Jose. Bajwa was booked into San Benito County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing a police officer in a reckless manner and resisting/obstructing a peace officer, according to the statement.
The Hollister Police Department is asking anyone with information about this case to call Leland at (831) 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call the National WeTIP Anonymous Hotline at 1-(800)-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTIP may be eligible for a reward.
