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A July 4 drive-by shooting that resulted in the recent arrest of a 30-year-old Hollister man on attempted murder charges is believed to be gang-related, according to Hollister police.
Ruben Eduardo Vargas was arrested on Aug. 6 during a traffic stop more than a month after the shooting that injured a teenager just blocks from downtown during the Hollister Independence Rally..
No charges had been filed by the district attorney as of Aug. 8, according to court records.
Police Chief Carlos Reynoso said Vargas had been under surveillance by detectives when he was arrested.
When asked how the alleged shooter and the targets of the shooting were connected, Reynoso said it was a “gang relationship and rival gangs.” He also said police believe Vargas to be a gang member.
According to a news release, following the shooting on the 1000 block of San Benito Street, the investigators used city-owned surveillance cameras and the license plate reader Flock Safety System to identify and confirm the suspected vehicle.
Police said they identified the front passenger, believed to be Vargas as the suspected shooter, using video cameras located downtown.
“Detectives followed leads and conducted surveillance operations to identify the suspect,” according to the release.
Police said more than six search warrants were authored by detectives, who “dedicated extensive time and resources to plan on the safe apprehension of the individual alleged to be responsible.”
Reynoso said the search warrants were for various items related to the case and not just locations.
“It took six warrants because they were regarding investigation leads, and the amount often depends on the number of leads our officers get,” Reynoso said.
While Vargas does not have a history of violent crime in San Benito County, since 2015, he has been cited for multiple traffic violations including two misdemeanors for driving without a valid license.
Three days before the shooting, he was cited for speeding.
Reynoso said police are still looking for the driver “who can face similar charges and conspiracy.”
A 15-year-old male sustained a non-life-threatening head injury during the shooting, likely caused by shattered glass from the vehicle struck by gunfire, according to police. Police said there were three victims of the shooting.
Reynoso said he had no update on the victim’s condition.
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