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Ricardo Ruben Perez Jr. was allegedly driving his father’s stolen truck when he was arrested following a high-speed chase through two counties, BenitoLink has confirmed, and is facing charges that he stole the truck.
The 26-year-old son of former Hollister city councilmember Rick Perez is set for arraignment on July 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Perez Jr. was arrested on July 19 on suspicion of stealing his father’s vehicle and other charges after he led authorities on an extended chase, and was booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
Though the Gilroy Police crime dashboard states he is charged with vehicle theft, evading a peace officer and possession of unlawful paraphernalia, the court’s online public portal only states he is facing a felony without providing additional information.
The vehicle, registered to his father, was reported stolen on July 18 and July 16, according to the Hollister Police Department crime dashboard.
Gilroy Police Sgt. Jesus Cortez said Gilroy police officers took over a vehicle pursuit that originated in Morgan Hill after they identified the reported stolen vehicle on Camino Arroyo Circle and Lindsteadt Way near Costco.
Cortez said he did not have information as to what led to Morgan Hill Police chasing Perez.
Morgan Hill Police did not immediately respond to BenitoLink’s request for information.
Cortez confirmed Perez had an active warrant for his arrest in San Benito County.
According to San Benito County Superior Court records, Perez had an outstanding arrest warrant, active since July 2, for failing to report to probation for four different scheduled office visits as required by his post release community supervision terms.
According to the warrant order, Perez was convicted in May 2025 of bringing controlled substances into a prison and sentenced to two years in prison. The order states he was released on supervision in September 2025.
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