A man who wasn’t the initial target of police attention became
so belligerent during a traffic stop that he landed himself in jail
facing several serious felonies.
A man who wasn’t the initial target of police attention became so belligerent during a traffic stop that he landed himself in jail facing several serious felonies.
Ruben Espinoza wasn’t driving the car that was stopped by police just after midnight Sunday morning, but he still managed to rack up charges of battery on a police officer, possessing a weapon in jail, threatening a police officer and resisting a police officer in the process.
The 24-year-old Hollister resident was one of five people riding in a car that was stopped 12:02 a.m. Sunday near Monterey and Leavesley roads. Upon stopping the vehicle, officers found open alcohol containers and confirmed several of the car’s occupants were alleged gang members or associates, said Sgt. Jim Gillio.
During the stop, Espinoza became so belligerent – threatening the officers and their families and yelling misplaced racial epithets – that the officers placed him under arrest, Gillio said. Police believe Espinoza is a Norteño gang member.
At the police station, officers removed Espinoza’s handcuffs so he could sign paperwork and complete the booking process. He allegedly continued to resist, holding a pen in a threatening manner and taking a stance “like he was going to tackle one of the officers,” Gillio said. “He was very agitated throughout the booking process.”
When an officer attempted to put Espinoza in a control hold and usher him to a cell, Espinoza allegedly struggled, striking the officer in the chest. According to the police report, he said, “Let’s do this.”
Espinoza then allegedly ran at an officer with his head lowered and arms swinging. A struggle ensued, in which Espinoza kicked an officer, who used his stun gun to subdue the arrestee, according to police. Officers also discovered a concealed knife on Espinoza that he had been reaching for during the struggle, according to police.
