The two men charged in connection with a Nov. 13 gunfire exchange on the west side have pleaded not guilty to the felony accusations, according to records.
Humberto G. Sanchez and Tomas Venegas Jr. have been charged as the two suspects in the case. Sanchez pleaded not guilty at a hearing Dec. 1, and Venegas did the same Tuesday.
Sanchez has a hearing set for 2 p.m. Dec. 15 to consider a date for a preliminary hearing, where a judge can decide if there is enough evidence for a trial. Venegas has the same type of hearing at 2 p.m. Dec. 29, according to records.
Sanchez faces charges from the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office alleging one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle and two counts of assault with a firearm, with all charges alleging special allegations for Sanchez having a prior felony conviction.
Venegas faces charges of assault with a firearm and resisting or obstructing an officer, according to records.
Hollister police arrested Venegas days later and then Sanchez on Nov. 21. Investigators had received information that he was at a residence in the 100 Block of San Felipe Road. They obtained a warrant and arrested him without incident around 10:45 p.m., according to police.
Hollister officers were assisted by San Benito County Sheriff’s Office deputies in responding to the San Felipe Road residence.
According to the police statement, people at the home “refused to provide consent to search for the suspect.” Police then obtained a search warrant for the residence. Officers and a sheriff’s office K-9 located Sanchez inside the home and arrested him.
Sanchez and Venegas were wanted linked to the shooting around 1 p.m. Nov. 13, a Sunday, at the intersection of Central Avenue and Teresita Court.Â
Sanchez, 34, eluded police Nov. 18 after officers had spotted him and later set up barricades on area streets during a search.
