Update Per San Benito County Sheriff’s Office: 

As our office debriefed the call from yesterday, where a female was attacked and stabbed by two suspects, we realized an error in our statement to the community…

We failed to recognize Officer Jose Ornelas from the Hollister Police Department for his incredible work on this call.

Officer Ornelas responded to the area of the call and located the female suspects leaving the area. He detained them and they were later positively identified and arrested by our office.

His quick response and actions not only located the suspects, but the weapon also.

We do not perform our duties in a vacuum and enjoy our close bond with HPD and their team. We should always acknowledge the great work of our partners and hope this post reflects that.

Stabbing-Attempt Homicide 

January 24, 2024 - San Benito County, CA – San Benito County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at approximately 3:18 p.m., San Benito County Sheriff’s deputies responded to report of a stabbing, in a section of the San Benito riverbed, located in the area of Fourth Street and San Juan-Hollister Rd., Hollister. Arriving Deputies located a female victim, who was homeless, living in the riverbed. The female victim had sustained a single stab wound to the upper chest. Deputies administered medical aid and called for Hollister Fire and an ambulance, who responded. The female victim was transported to a trauma center for further medical treatment. 

Deputies also encountered two female suspects, who were in the process of leaving the area, and both were detained. The two detained suspects were found in possession of a knife, consistent with that used in the stabbing.

The investigation revealed the two detained suspects had allegedly responded to the victim’s tent and began to slash the victim’s tent, while the female victim was inside. The victim confronted the two suspects. The female victim was reported to have been held down and then stabbed at least one time in the upper torso.

Both detained female suspects were transported and booked into the San Benito County Jail, for the felony violations of 664/187 P.C-Attempted Homicide and 245(a) P.C-Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office on our anonymous tip-line at (831) 636-4080. Or you can TEXT-A-TIP to 888777 by typing TIP SBCSO followed by your message. To Sign up for NIXLE ALERTS text SBCSO to 888777 and follow the prompts.

Source: San Benito County Sheriff’s Office