HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA– February 2, 2013– On February 1, 2013 at approximately 5:00 pm Hollister police officers arrested two adults and one juvenile in connection with a loaded stolen handgun found in a vehicle. Hollister Police Department Gang Officer Matthew Weiss and Officer Carlos Rodriguez found the suspects while they were patrolling as a two-man gang suppression unit. This was in response to the recent increase of gang related incidents throughout the City of Hollister last week.
Officers Weiss and Rodriguez were performing routine checks when they contacted several persons who were found inside and standing around a parked vehicle in the 1300 block of Westside Blvd. Suspect Marco Mendoza (age 27) was found in possession of an open alcoholic beverage in the back seat of the vehicle and on active CDC Parole. Officers also found that the owner of the vehicle, Omar Ortega-Hernandez (age 20), was also in possession of an open container and that the front seat passenger was a 17 year old female juvenile.
Officers did a check and search of the vehicle in the course of this investigation and located a loaded handgun concealed inside the interior of the vehicle. The handgun was later determined to have been reported stolen. Ortega-Hernandez was booked into San Benito County Jail for 25850(c)(3) PC – Gang member carrying a loaded firearm, 496(a) PC – Possession of stolen property. Mendoza was booked into San Benito County Jail for 3056 PC - parole violation, 29800(a)(1) PC – felon in possession of a firearm and 25850(c)(3) PC – Gang member in possession of a loaded firearm. The juvenile female was booked into San Benito County Juvenile Hall for 25850(c)(3) PC – Gang member in possession of a loaded firearm.
This operation was funded by the City of Hollister CALGRIP grant. This grant is not only a way for the Hollister Police Department to combat gang related incidents, but is also designed to educate the community and parents of children who may be susceptible to gang influence.
This investigation is currently on-going and anyone with any information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Gang Officer Matthew Weiss at 831-636-4330 ext 132. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
