Full Notification

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – January 18, 2018– The Hollister Police Department arrested two local men for possession of a firearm.
 
On January 17, 2019, at about 10:43 P.M., Officer Evan Umstead was on patrol in the area of Rajakovich Drive and Fourth Street.   He attempted to stop a vehicle for a vehicle code violation, but it quickly sped off.          
 
The vehicle came to a stop at a business located on Fourth Street and two of the four occupants ran out of the car and into the business. Other officers arrived to assist and Officer Umstead went into the business and noticed one of the suspects exiting the woman’s bathroom.  He was able to detain them both.     
 
Officer Umstead and Officer Melgoza searched the area and found a handgun had been discarded into a trashcan, located inside of the woman’s restroom.  The gun was fully loaded. The two suspects in this case were identified as being Jose Concepcion Rodriguez (28) a Hollister resident pictured at the top right side with a grey shirt and Eusebio Rojas (25) also a Hollister resident. 
 
Rodriguez was charged with carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a loaded firearm while being a documented gang member and carrying a loaded weapon, not registered to him.  Rojas was charged with allowing a loaded firearm in his vehicle and driving on a suspended license.  The other two occupants of the car were released at the scene. 
 
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is requested to contact Officer Evan Umstead at 831-636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.