Editor’s note: This article was updated to include comments from HPD. Last updated at 1:56 p.m. on Nov. 10. People arrested by law enforcement are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
Anyone driving down Monterey Street near Fourth Street around 10:30 a.m. Nov. 7 found themselves taking a detour because of police activity.
However, Hollister Police posted an update on their social media platforms to share more information with the community.
Hollister Police posted a photo of a U-Haul van with a caption reading: “Pro tip: Don’t drive a stolen U-Haul to your appointment at probation with your probation officer. Thank you for coming [to] our Ted Talk.”
Sergeant Bo Leland told BenitoLink Nov. 10 HPD detained a female, Destiny Tellez, who was in the car and a male, Andrew Heersink, who came out of the probation office from an appointment.
He said Heersink “approached our position and told us the van was his. When we attempted to detain him he ran and we chased him but he was ultimately detained after a brief struggle.”
Leland said a license plate reader picked up a stolen U-Haul in town and one of HPD’s officers found it on Monterey Street near Fifth Street just outside probation.
He said Heersink was charged with stealing a car, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, possession of a leaded cane weapon, and a probation violation.
Leland said leaded is an old fashioned way of saying that the suspect had a baton or nightstick that he or she intended on using as a weapon.
He added Tellez was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, drug charges and possession of pepper spray unlawfully.
Drivers and pedestrians tried to take a peek at the U-Haul cargo van parked on the side of the county building that housed the elections and tax office.
Police officers stood nearby the van before a tow truck arrived to take the van away.
We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. It is expensive to produce local news and community support is what keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service, nonprofit news.
You must be logged in to post a comment.