Two men accused of stealing copper wire from a Pacific Gas & Electric site in Hollister had their preliminary hearings waived and are both scheduled for respective trial settings in the next month.
The two suspects are Denny Holderfield, 47, of Gilroy; and Eric Flanigan, 47, of Pacifica. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and in recent days waived their rights to a preliminary examination where a judge would decide if there is enough evidence for trials.
Deputies and a K-9 apprehended the two men in early-morning hours on Christmas Eve at PG&E, 1980 Santa Ana Road.
Holderfield remains in custody at the San Benito County Jail, with bail on the local burglary charge set at $25,000 and bail on a separate Santa Clara County charge – alleging under the influence of a controlled substance – also at $25,000, according to jail personnel.
Flanigan posted bail and was released Dec. 28.
Holderfield’s trial setting – where a judge can set a trial date – is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 26 in room 101 before Judge Steven Sanders. Flanigan’s trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 9, also in room 101 before Sanders.
At about 3 a.m. on Christmas morning, a sheriff’s deputy and the K-9 responded to a report of a commercial burglary in progress at the facility, according to the sheriff’s office. When deputies arrived they saw a suspect, Flanigan, leave the business.
He initially refused to stop, and deputies deployed the dog to apprehend him. Deputies found the suspect, Holderfield, hiding near the business.
