With the collective efforts of the Hollister School District and Hollister Police Department several suspects were identified and arrested in a March 5 burglary and vandalism at R.O. Hardin School on Line Street in Hollister.
On March 5, officers responded to 881 Line St. regarding an interrupted burglary. Officers arrived on scene and were unable to locate any suspects associated to the burglary. While processing the scene, it was found the suspects had stolen a large amount of electronic devices and caused approximately $20,000 of damage to the buildings.
Working in conjunction with the Hollister School District, Hollister School Resource Officer Michael Paddy was able identify several suspects associated to the stolen electronic devices. On March 23 Hollister Police served three search warrants associated to the stolen electronic devices. As a result officers were able to recover several of the stolen electronic devices and a stolen handgun from an unrelated burglary that occurred in 2014.
Roberto Ramirez Pantoja, 23, Carlos Orta, 48, and a juvenile were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. In addition officers were able to identify and arrest one of the two juvenile suspects originally believed responsible for the burglary and vandalism to the school. Hollister Police say they are still working to locate several more pieces of the stolen electronic devices.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Officer Paddy at 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-87-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.