Courtesy of the Hollister Police Department:
The Hollister Police Department arrested a local man for possession of a loaded firearm.
On Jan. 26 at about 10:46 p.m., Officer Umstead was on patrol in the downtown area when another officer advised several persons were involved in a physical altercation in front of the Hollister House Bar and Grill located at 500 San Benito St.
As Officer Umstead arrived he observed three males running from the area. He followed the males in order to determine if they were involved with the fight. He caught up to the suspects in the 600 block of San Benito Street and detained them to investigate their involvement.
As Officer Umstead questioned them regarding their possible involvement in the fight he recognized one of the suspects he was speaking with as being the same person he recently arrested for possession of a firearm.
As the investigation continued, Officer Umstead discovered one of the suspects he had detained had another handgun loaded with a high-capacity magazine concealed on his person. The gun had no serial number located on it. Officer Umstead arrested Cesar Gomez, 20, of Hollister.
Gomez was transported to the San Benito County Jail and booked on the charges alleging carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a loaded firearm while being a gang member, carrying a loaded firearm (not the owner), altering the serial numbers of a firearm, and possessing a high-capacity magazine. All recommended charges are listed as felonies.
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.