Information provided by the Hollister Police Department.
The Hollister Police Department issued a Jan. 30 press release on the arrest of a local man for possession of a loaded firearm among other charges.
According to the release, Officer Evan Umstead was on patrol Jan. 26 around 10:46 p.m. in the downtown area when another officer advised that several people were involved in a physical altercation in front of the Hollister House Bar and Grill, located at 500 San Benito Street.
Officer Umstead arrived and observed three males running from the area, the release said, and subsequently followed, caught up to and detained the suspects in the 600 block of San Benito Street to investigate their involvement.
The release states that during questioning, Officer Umstead recognized one of the suspects he was speaking with was someone he recently arrested for possession of a firearm. The release further states Officer Umstead discovered one of the other males he detained had a handgun loaded with a high capacity magazine concealed on his person. The gun had no serial number located on it, according to the release. Officer Umstead arrested Cesar Gomez, 20, of Hollister.
According to the press release, Gomez was transported to the San Benito County Jail and booked on charges of carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a loaded firearm while being a gang member, carrying a loaded firearm (not the owner), altering the serial numbers of a firearm, and possessing a high capacity magazine; all charges are listed as felonies.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Officer Umstead 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.