Men used vehicle complete with scanner, spotlight and
loudspeaker
By Michael Van Cassell Staff Writer
Hollister – Hollister Police arrested three local men for allegedly trying to make arrests of their own.
Eddie Castillo, 22, of San Juan Bautista; and Randall Hernandez, 19, and Mario Mendoza, 26, both of Hollister, were arrested just after midnight Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy and impersonating a police officer, both felonies.
Officer Eric Olson arrested the three after he found them in a dark-colored Crown Victoria with Oregon State Police markings at the intersection of Meridian Street and Monte Carlo Drive, according to Rosie Betanio, a police spokeswoman.
Olson was on patrol near Meridian Street and Monte Carlo Drive when he heard a public address speaker ordering a vehicle to pull over. Once he located the vehicles, he found three men from the front vehicle sitting on the sidewalk between the two cars. The suspects had allegedly ordered the three men out of their car, according to police officials.
The men later told police that they thought Olson had come to act as back-up.
“The people thought they were actually being pulled over,” Betanio said.
The Crown Victoria used in the incident is registered to the Oregon State Police. The vehicle still has Oregon State Police markings and is equipped with a spotlight, public address system and a police scanner.
“Normally they remove all the equipment that makes it a police car,” Betanio said.
The police department has contacted the Oregon State Police about the vehicle but as of press time did not know how the suspects may have obtained the vehicle, Betanio said. However, police departments do auction off older police vehicles, Betanio said.
Castillo was in possession of a security guard badge similar to a police badge. Such badges can look very realistic, Betanio said.
Members of the public have certain precautions they can take against police impersonators, Betanio said.
“Normally for the Hollister Police Department our vehicles are marked vehicles,” Betanio said.
If an unmarked vehicle is used in a traffic stop, citizens may keep their window rolled up and ask for identification, or call 9-1-1 to confirm the stop is legitimate, Betanio said.
Castillo and Hernandez are being held at the San Benito County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail each. Mendoza was released on $20,000 bail. If convicted, each man could face up to one year in prison.
Anyone who may have had contact with the suspects may contact Hollister police at 831-636-4330.
