Hollister Police Department makes arrest in commercial burglaries

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Hollister Police announced officers arrested two suspects on May 31 for burglary, and grand theft related to two commercial burglaries occurring at the same business on the block of 1100 East Park Street. The two suspects were identified as Osvaldo Vergara, 44, and Katherine Branch, 57.
 
According to the news release, on May 29, at about 8:13 a.m., Hollister Police Community Services Officer, D. Torres, responded to the 1100 block of East Park Street for a commercial burglary that occurred sometime overnight.

“It was determined two suspects, a male and female, forced entry into a storage area of the business,” according to the news release. “It appeared the suspects rummaged through the storage area and only took a few items. A report was generated and follow up to identify the two suspects was being completed.
 
Police said on May 31, at about 8:26 am, Hollister Police officer L. Pimentel responded to the same business on East Park Street for an additional commercial burglary that occurred overnight. The business has security surveillance around the property which captured both burglaries.

According to the news release, the same two suspects from the previous incident forced entry into a storage area of the business and stole approximately $1,000 worth of property.
 
Hollister Police officer L. Pimentel was able to review the security surveillance footage from both burglaries.

“He immediately recognized the male and female suspects from prior contacts,” according to the new release.
 
Police said officers began to circulate the City of Hollister for known locations Vergara and Branch frequented. At about 10:40 am, officer L. Pimentel located and arrested Vergara in the 800 block of East Street. Vergara was transported to the San Benito County Jail and booked.

At about 11:37 am, Branch was located in the San Benito County riverbed.

“Officers found property stolen from the business during the burglary when they contacted Branch,” according to the news release. “In addition, clothing items and a bicycle used in the burglary were located.”

Branch was arrested and transported to the San Benito County Jail.  Vergara and Branch were both booked on the charges of separate burglaries and grand theft.
 
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Officer L. Pimentel at the Hollister Police Department at 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.