Hollister police arrested three Hollister residents in
connection with two strong-arm robberies, one on Monday afternoon
and the other last week, but are still looking for the fourth
assailant, according to police.
Hollister – Hollister police arrested three Hollister residents in connection with two strong-arm robberies, one on Monday afternoon and the other last week, but are still looking for the fourth assailant, according to police.
David Barrientez Garcia, 20, Greg Fred Larios, 21, and Jose Robert Orta, 21, robbed a 20-year-old Hollister male who was sitting in his car in the 200 block of Rustic Street around 3pm Monday, said police spokesman George Ramirez.
They were arrested for two counts of felony strong-arm robbery and felony conspiracy to commit a crime and booked into the San Benito County Jail. A warrant has been issued for the fourth suspect, who is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with short hair, Ramirez said.
The four suspects were in a green 1997 Honda when they pulled up next to the man, Ramirez said. One suspect demanded his cell phone and jewelry, while another stole the face plate of the stereo, he said.
No weapon was used and the victim was not injured, he said.
The victim called police and gave a description of the suspects and the vehicle, and they were later stopped by a police sergeant in the 500 block of Tres Piños Road about a half an hour later, Ramirez said. The stolen property was recovered and returned to the victim, he said.
Only three of the suspects were in the car at the time of arrest and were identified by the victim, he said.
Police then discovered they had committed a robbery on Saturday, Sept. 18 in the 200 block of McCarthy Street around 11:20pm that occurred in a similar way, Ramirez said.
In the previous robbery, the suspects pulled in front of a car occupied by an 18- and 20-year-old male, approached the car and demanded they hand over their money, he said.
Neither of the victims were injured, he said.
One of the victims in the previous robbery was also able to identify them, Ramirez said.
“It is unknown if they are connected with any other robberies, but investigators are looking into it,” he said.
Larios had prior bookings in the county jail dating back to June of 2002 for a melange of drug charges, driving under the influence and possessing illegal weapons, according to jail personnel. He is being held in lieu of $110,000 bail.
Orta had a prior booking in July of this year for battery with serious bodily injury and several drug charges and is being held without bail for violating his probation, according to jail personnel.
Garcia was booked and released in April of this year for possession of marijuana and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to jail personnel.
Anyone with information about the fourth suspect should call the Hollister Police Department at (831) 636-4330.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
