Hollister police catch hospital car jacking suspect
Hollister police say they arrested a man who stole a woman’s car from the Hazel Hawkins Hospital parking lot on Saturday.
Officers say at about 3:00pm the victim found the suspect 28-year-old Robert Freedman sitting in her car when she came out to the parking lot, with the vehicle idling and the driver’s door open.
The suspect quickly backed the vehicle up and hit the woman with the open door, knocking her to the ground before taking off in the car.
Hollister Police Officer Masso was responding to the hospital on Pinnacles Park Highway when he spotted the suspect driving the car at the intersection of Hillcrest and Highway 25.
Hollister Police say Officer Masso attempted a traffic stop but instead the suspect accelerated at high speeds and continued on Highway 25.
At the intersection of Highway 25 and San Felipe Road, San Benito County Sheriff Deputy Liest joined in the pursuit.
Officer say on at least two occasions, the suspect drove into the on-coming lane of traffic at high speeds, eventually the pursuit was stopped by Hollister Police because of the safety for other drivers on the road.
However, Hollister officers were authorized to trail the pursuit while Deputy Liest and the California Highway Patrol continued the pursuit.
The CHP helicopter began to track the pursuit as it continued north on Frazier Lake Road and then east on Bloomfield Road.
Officers ay Freedman lost control on Bloomfield Road and crashed the car into trees on the side of the road. The stolen vehicle was a total loss.
Freedman was taken into custody and turned over to Hollister Police. He was transported to a local hospital where he was cleared with minor injuries. He was later booked at the San Benito County Jail for carjacking, evading arrest with disregard to public safety, possession of stolen property, and assault with a deadly weapon. He also had two warrants out for his arrest for transportation of a controlled substance and sales of marijuana.
Anyone having information on this case is asked to call Officer Masso 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.
