Shots fired near high school last weekend
HOLLISTER
Two county residents have been charged in connection with a shooting at an apartment complex in the 300 block of Nash Road on Saturday.
Juan Martin Robles, 23, of San Juan Bautista, and Sesar David Garcia, 19, of Hollister, were both charged on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and enhancements for being suspected members of the Sureno street gang.
Officers responded to the apartment complex near San Benito High School at 8 p.m. Saturday after neighbors reported hearing multiple gun shots, said officer Rosie Betanio of the Hollister Police Department. The caller gave a vehicle description, and shortly after the incident, San Benito County sheriff’s deputy Ralph Morden stopped a 2000 black Ford Focus that matched the caller’s description, she sad.
According to a Hollister Police Department report, the deputy who stopped the vehicle found Robles, Garcia and another man – he was arrested, but authorities later dropped charges against the third suspect – along with a “small, concealable” firearm that was later linked to the shooting. Betanio said all three men arrested are well-known gang members who have a long history of arrests.
A sheriff’s deputy made the arrest, but the report was filed out of the Hollister Police Department because its officers had responded to the original call.
The suspects were arraigned at a hearing Tuesday and will be in court April 3 for a preliminary hearing.
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill has vowed to put a stop to illegal street gang activity, calling it his “No. 1 priority.”
“If you are a dedicated gang member in San Benito County, you will go to prison,” Hill said. “Sheriff Hill is coming for you.”
