Courtesy of the Hollister Police Department:
On Aug. 31, Hollister police officers arrested a local transient for vandalism of city property and assault on an officer.
The City of Hollister information technology manger reported electronic equipment and part of the city camera system being vandalized for the second time in the month of August. This most recent vandalism was in excess of $1,300 in damage and it occurred just after midnight on Aug. 30. The video of the crime and images of the suspect were obtained and passed on to Officer David Anderson, who immediately started to investigate the matter.
Anderson recognized the suspect from another recent vandalism and believed the suspect was Hollister resident Raymundo Lucas Lucatero Jr (26).
At about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 31, Anderson located Lucatero at the Briggs Building parking structure. This is the same location where the items were vandalized and items taken from.
Anderson questioned him and then began to take Lucatero into custody for the vandalims. Lucatero resisted arrest by pulling free from and then pushing away from Officer Anderson and then grabbing a five foot long bamboo staff and swinging it at Officer Anderson. Officer Anderson deployed his Taser at Lucatero but it was not effective. Lucatero ran down the stairs with Officer Anderson in foot pursuit. Officer Anderson caught Lucatero near the vehicle entry off Brigg’s Alley but Lucatero was still defiant and refused to cooperate. Other officers arrived to assist and Lucatero was taken into custody without any further incident.
Lucatero was booked on the charges of felony vandalism, two counts of burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of burglary tools. He is also suspected in a previous vandalism that occurred at the same location on August 18th and is being investigated in connection to another downtown business burglary.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is requested to contact the Hollister Police Department 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.
