Hollister Police tase suspected carjacker at gas station

A transient man has been arrested after allegedly trying to carjack two vehicles and attempted to fight the drivers.

Friday morning, officers were called out to the Safeway gas station on Tres Pinos Road on a report of an attempted carjacking.

When officers arrived, two victims told officers a man had attempted to steal their vehicles.

Once an officer was able to locate the suspect, the suspect quickly approached the officer and claimed to have a weapon. The officer tried searching the man, however police said the man pulled away and tried to fight. After not complying, the man was tasered.

After a short struggle, the man was taken into custody. He is identified as 33-year-old Austin Downing, with no previous police contacts in Hollister.

Officers later spoke with the victims who described Downing approaching them and opening their car doors and attempting to take their vehicles. In both instances the victims reportedly fought back against Downing’s attempts.

Downing was arrested for two counts of attempted carjacking and one count of resisting and obstructing a police officer.