Crime & Safety

Violent Employee Threatens to Kill Hansen's Feed Owner

The employee has been described as unstable and unpredictable.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office is set to issue an arrest warrant for Esteban Hernandez, a former employee of Hansen's Feed & Pet Supply in Watsonville, who has made violent threats against the business owner.

On March 22 at 2 p.m., the owner of Freedom Boulevard business asked Hernandez, at that point still a Hansen's employee, about a shipment that he failed to deliver. According to Deputy April Skalland, Hernandez then became angry, grabbed a broom and smashed it down on the cash register.

The broom broke in half and the register was undamaged. Hernandez, 42, then pointed the broom at the owner and threatened to kill him, Skalland said.

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

The owner then asked Hernandez to leave and fired him by phone that evening.

On March 25 at 3:45 p.m., Hernandez returned to Hansen's and told the owner he owed him money. Hernandez demanded cash, but was told that only the accountant can handle money issues, Skalland said.

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

"At that point, Hernandez came around the counter, shoved the owner out of the way of the register and grabbed $300 in cash," Skalland said.

A warrant will be issued for threatening crime with intent to terrorize, according to sheriff's office documents.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.