Hollister fire chief helps locate hit and run suspect

Hollister police said the city’s fire chief helped in locating a hit-and-run suspect. Officers said the suspect, Mauro Merino, 20, left the scene in the 800 block of South Street around 9:50 p.m. Sunday.

Witnesses said Merino crashed into other parked cars on South Street and then drove off. Hollister Fire Chief Mike O’Connor discovered a car driving on Monterey Street matching the suspect description and directed officers to Merino’s final stop on Washington Street. Merino allegedly parked his car and ran on foot.

Officers said Merino was found hiding in a garage in Grubb Alley. He was arrested for DUI and hit and run