The information for this article was provided by Hollister Police Department.
Hollister Police Department arrested Hollister resident Jesse Cota April 6, on multiple charges including person with a previous felony conviction in possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of stolen property and possession of controlled substance. The report also explained that Cota, 38, was arrested for child endangerment because he had a child in the vehicle at the time he was arrested.
The police stated in a news release that officers came to the 900 block of West Street in Hollister April 5, after a report of shots being fired into a house. “When officers arrived they determined the single shot to the residence had originated from inside the home not from outside. The suspect responsible for the shooting fled the scene in a newer white Toyota Camry,” an HPD news release stated. The police department said no weapons were recovered during the investigation.
According to the news release, United Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) agents then received information April 6, regarding the location of the weapon used in the shooting. UNET and HPD returned to the location and a firearm was located on the property, the release stated.
An agent from UNET and a Hollister Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on the white camry vehicle in the 300 block of Swope Alley.
The police stated that they identified Cota as being present when the shooting in the home occurred the previous night. The report stated, “As Officers spoke to Cota they located a loaded handgun near him. Cota was immediately taken into custody. Further search of Jesse Cota and the vehicle revealed watches, jewelry and narcotics. The gun and several jewelry items were identified as being recently stolen from a home in Hollister.”
The statement continued in detail: “Cota was booked into San Benito County Jail for child endangerment (there was a child in the car he was riding in), carrying a concealed weapon inside a vehicle, possession of a loaded firearm, person with a previous felony conviction in possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, committing a felony while on bail for a felony charge, possession of stolen property, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of controlled substance, attempting to destroy/ conceal evidence, and possession of controlled substance while armed with a firearm.”
According to the report, April 7, the same agent from UNET and Hollister Police officers located a previously stolen grey Honda Civic matching the description of a vehicle Cota had been previously driving. Officers later returned the vehicle to the registered owner the report stated.
Officers were able to obtain evidence, the report said, connecting Cota to the stolen car and the firearm found on the home on West Street. It stated that officers responded to the San Benito County Jail and added the charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a shortened barreled shotgun to Cota’s booking.
The Hollister Police Department and UNET say they are continuing to follow up on investigative leads regarding the incident.
Hollister Police Department- 636-4330. Anonymous WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.