Michael Canton booking photo
HOLLISTER — Police have arrested 32-year-old Michael Canton of Hollister for the attempted armed robbery of a pregnant woman on McCary Street on Sunday afternoon.
At around 12 PM, the victim was confronted by Canton after having just withdrawn cash from an ATM. Brandishing a crowbar, Canton demanded that she hand over the money, not noticing that her husband was close by and watching the whole thing.
The victim’s husband walked over to confront him and a struggle ensued. He tried to restrain Canton, who was eventually able to break free and flee the scene in a white Nissan, discarding the crowbar as he did so.
One of the officers responding to the subsequent report spotted the vehicle matching the victim’s description in the 400 block of San Felipe Road and conducted a stop, making contact with Canton and promptly placing him under arrest for attempted armed robbery and probation violation.
Canton’s felony probation status dates back to a 2014 incident for which he plead no contest to striking another person in the head with a crowbar, causing significant injury. He is currently housed at San Benito County Jail with bail set at $70,000.
