HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – April 18, 2012 – On April 17, 2012, Hollister Police officers arrested four female suspects, who were in possession of lap-top computers and other stolen items taken from a home burglary.
On April 16, 2012 about 11:40 P.M., officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at an apartment complex located on the 1500 block of Valleyview Road. Citizens in the area observed several females transferring computers and other items from one vehicle to another vehicle. Officer Steven Vining arrived and located Vanessa Garcia (20), Erika Barrios (18), Liza Gonzales (18) and a fourth juvenile female. Garcia ran away on foot upon seeing Officer Vining arrive. However, Officer Vining identified her from a prior contact. None of the remaining females claimed possession of the property. The recovered items were taken for safe keeping pending further investigation.
Later the same day, a citizen called police to report a residential burglary on the 1500 Block of Highland Drive. Officer Matt Weiss investigated the burglary and was able to connect the recovered property from earlier in the day to the burglary.
On April 17, 2012, Officer Vining contacted all four suspects and arrested them for possession of stolen property. Garcia, Barrios and Gonzalez were booked at the San Benito County Jail for possession of stolen property. Garcia, who had fled on foot during the initial contact with police, also had a warrant for her arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia. The juvenile suspect was booked at the San Benito County Juvenile Hall for possession of stolen property.
The Hollister Police Department would like to thank the citizen who called in and reported the suspicious activity. We appreciate and encourage community involvement and assistance. We would also like to remind you that crimes can be reported by calling 911, our non-emergency number at 636-4330 or if you wish to remain anonymous call the National WeTip Hotline at 1-800-78-Crime.
