Hollister man arrested for attacking police officer

A man is behind bars for running from the cops, ditching a loaded gun and attacking a Hollister police officer.

The incident occurred around 1:55 a.m. on August 5.

Hollister PD attempted to pull over 20-year-old Daniel Perez for a vehicle code violation. Perez didn’t stop, instead he drove into a long private driveway in the 200 block of Sally Street.

According to police, Perez got out of his car, ran to a nearby fence and attempted to jump it. An officer caught up to Perez and the two fell onto the other side of the fence near the railroad tracks between Third Street and First Street.

“The suspect began to violently resist arrest and strike at Officer Masso,” said Sgt. Don Pershall.

HPD said Perez refused to put his hands behind his back. After a short struggle the officer was able to cuff him.

“A search of the area where the struggle occurred revealed a loaded firearm that had apparently been dropped by the suspect,” Sgt. Pershall said.

Perez had drug paraphernalia on him. It was also determined that he was driving under the influence.

Perez was wanted for a case that occurred the previous week where he was identified as the driver of a stolen car. Perez allegedly abandoned the car on Knight Lane as officers attempted to stop him. He ran on foot but ammunition found in the stolen car matched the same caliber as the recovered gun.

Perez was booked into the San Benito County Jail and 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. Perez was also charged for the stolen vehicle case and booked for an arrest warrant out of Santa Clara County.