A Hollister man pleaded no contest in connection with an October vehicle theft at a local Quick Stop along with charges of driving under the influence and receiving stolen property.
Jose Eduardo Garcia could face six years in prison after agreeing to plead no contest on two charges related to the arrest at a Feb. 15 court hearing in San Benito County. His sentencing is set for March 15 at 9 a.m. while his bail is set at $120,000.
On Oct. 8 at about 12:30 a.m., Hollister police officers arrested Garcia, 47, alleging vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence and a parole violation.
At about midnight, the Hollister Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle theft that had just occurred from the Quick Stop Gas Station parking lot at 10 San Felipe Road. A white 1996 Nissan Sentra sedan was taken from the parking lot. The vehicle was left unlocked with the engine running prior to the theft.
Minutes later, police located Jose Garcia and the stolen vehicle in the back of the Los Cuates Market parking lot at 220 San Felipe Road. Jose Garcia was identified as the person who took the vehicle. The stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner.
While conducting the investigation, officers discovered Garcia was a parolee on early release from prison and suspected he had been operating the stolen vehicle while intoxicated. A DUI investigation was conducted and Garcia was also arrested for driving while under the influence. He was later transported to the San Benito County Jail where he was booked for the listed charges.
