Crime & Safety

Suspect Invades Home During Pursuit, Threatens Woman and Child with Weapon

Fernando Gomez Perez, a 37-year-old Gilroy resident, has a history of frequent contact with police.

A convicted felon attempting to flee police allegedly threatened a
woman and her child and tried to force them to hide him, Gilroy police said
today.

Officers spotted Fernando Gomez Perez, a 37-year-old Gilroy resident with a history of frequent contact with police, driving near West Eighth and Hanna streets shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, according to police.

Police attempted to stop Perez because his license has been suspended, but he allegedly abandoned his car and fled into a nearby home.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Inside the house, a 32-year-old woman was home with her 10-year-old and 14-year-old sons.

Perez allegedly threatened the woman and the 10-year-old, who was working on his homework, with what they thought was a knife.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The two were so frightened that they initially told police Perez wasn't there while he hid inside a bedroom, police said.

Officers found him during a search, however, and took him into custody.

The woman was so upset she required medical treatment to calm her, and her son clung to a female police officer when he saw Perez being taken out of the house, police said.

Perez was found in possession of a replica handgun and items used
to conceal narcotics, as well as a screwdriver. He was booked on suspicion of
false imprisonment for purposes of protection from arrest, criminal threats,
burglary, resisting arrest and driving on a suspended drivers license.


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