A suspect who prompted police to set up a perimeter after a chase in central Hollister accepted a plea deal and is set for a sentence hearing in October.
Austin Nye, 23, will face sentencing at 9 a.m. Oct. 11 at the San Benito County Courthouse before Judge Steven Sanders, according to court records.
He had been set to have his preliminary hearing scheduled at a hearing last week, but instead accepted a plea deal. He is represented by public defender Art Cantu.
He pleaded no contest to one count of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. Prosecutors in July pressed charges alleging two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, felony flight from a traffic officer with a disregard for safety, felony obstruction, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor entering a non-commercial dwelling.
Police arrested Nye in mid-July after a chase and setting up a perimeter in a residential neighborhood.
According to the statement from police after the arrest:
Around 11:15 a.m., Hollister police officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Santa Ana Road concerning a witnessed domestic violence incident. A caller reported seeing a male (Nye) in a red Jeep who was attempting to run someone over. Officers responded to the area and found the victim. While obtaining her statement, officers began checking the area for Nye and his vehicle.
About 11:25 a.m., a Hollister police detective located Nye in his vehicle in Main Alley near Santa Ana Road. The detective identified himself and attempted to stop Nye, who made a u-turn in the alley and fled at a high rate of speed in his vehicle. The detective activated his lights and siren on his department vehicle and chased Nye for about 1.5 miles. Nye fled at high rates of speed and with no regard for public safety. Nye parked his vehicle in the 100 block of McCarthy Avenue and fled on foot into the residential neighborhood.
Police officers and San Benito Sheriff’s Office deputies set up a perimeter and officers began searching yard to yard for Nye. Nye moved from backyard to backyard jumping fences and forced entry to several homes and backyards in the area. Nye also kicked a detective while attempting to avoid arrest. Nye was eventually arrested in the area of Maple Street and San Juan Drive.
Nye was booked at the San Benito County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer, assault on a police officer causing injury, evading while driving a vehicle and other related offenses.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations are requested to contact Officer Rudy Rodriguez 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.
