Man arrested for assault on officer and gun charges

Information provided by the Hollister Police Department.

A 20 year-old man was arrested Sunday, Aug. 5 near the railroad tracks located between Third and First streets and was charged with assault on an officer and gun charges. 

Hollister Police Officer Miguel Masso was on patrol Sunday, Aug. 5 at about 01:55 a.m., when he attempted to stop a vehicle for a vehicle code violation, according to a recent press release. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop until he reached a long private driveway on 200 block of Sally Street towards the rear of a residence and away from the street. 

After the suspect vehicle came to a stop, the driver got out of the car and ran westbound through the yard and toward the rear fence area. As the suspect ran from the car, he appeared to be holding or trying to conceal something in his waist area, the press release said. Officer Masso proceeded to chase the suspect and quickly caught him while the suspect was trying to jump over a fence. Both the suspect and Officer Masso fell onto the other side of the fence near the railroad tracks between Third and First Street. The suspect began to violently resist arrest and strike at Officer Masso, as stated in the press release. 

The suspect refused repeated commands to stop resisting refused to pull his hands out from underneath him. After a short struggle, Officer Masso was able to force the suspect’s hands out from underneath his body and handcuff the suspect. A search of the area where the struggle occurred revealed a loaded firearm that had apparently been dropped by the suspect, the press release said. The suspect was then identified as Hollister resident Daniel Perez, 20. 

Further investigation discovered drug paraphernalia on his person and Perez was found to be driving while impaired. Perez was also wanted for a case that had occurred the previous week where he was identified as the driver of a stolen car.

Perez was then transported to the hospital for medical clearance. He was uncooperative at the hospital and subsequently transferred to San Benito County Jail. Perez was booked on charges of assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the press release. He was also charged regarding the case involving the stolen vehicle that occurred last week and booked for an arrest warrant out of Santa Clara County. 

Officer Masso was treated at Hazel Hawkins Hospital for injuries incurred during the incident and later released. 

Anyone with information regarding these investigations is requested to contact Officer Miguel Masso 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.