FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Andrew Estrada

ARRESTED

The San José Police Department began an investigation after receiving numerous vandalism reports in 2025 via the City of San José's 3-1-1 application. The graffiti tags, all using the moniker "Byes", were found on public walls, freeway overpasses, and abandoned buildings. The suspect vandalized City of San José property over twenty times, estimated to cause approximately $40,000 worth of damage. The vandalism also defaced other private and public properties spanning multiple jurisdictions. The cost of the overall damage is estimated to exceed over $200,000.

SJPD Gang Investigations Unit Detectives assigned to the Graffiti Investigation Detail began a comprehensive investigation and identified the suspect as Andrew Estrada. Suspect Estrada was also subsequently identified as the suspect responsible for a vandalism incident that occurred on January 26, 2026 on a railroad trestle near Old Oakland Road in the city of San José, causing approximately $80,000 worth of damage.

During the investigation, Detectives also discovered evidence that Suspect Estrada was in possession of a loaded firearm despite being prohibited from owning and possessing firearms and ammunition.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Suspect Estrada and a search warrant for his residence.

On January 29, 2026, with the assistance of the SJPD MERGE Unit, Assaults Unit, and Gun and Hazardous Offenders Suppression Team (GHOST) Unit, Detectives located and arrested Suspect Estrada in the city of San José. During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives seized large amounts of graffiti indicia including spray paint, paint cans, brushes, markers, slap tags, sketch pads, and bolt cutters. 

Suspect Estrada was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for felony vandalism among other charges.

“Defacing public property is a crime, not a hobby,” said SJPD Chief of Police Paul Joseph. “Graffiti is a catalyst that can lead to other crimes including gang retaliation and violence, and that is why our Detectives target the source before our community’s public safety is threatened.”

“This case entails serious and costly incidents, impacting multiple communities and resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “This was not mere street art or mischief, and disturbingly, this suspect was flaunting an illegal firearm. I’m grateful SJPD stopped this suspect before anyone was hurt.”

“When you tag our city and public property, you are defacing our community’s right to live in clean and safe spaces,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “I am grateful for our San Jose Police Department for holding the suspect accountable and providing our community with peace of mind and protecting our city from vandalism.”

GIU Detectives believe Suspect Estrada is responsible for more unreported vandalism incidents outside of the City of San José, affecting public property and neighboring jurisdictions. Anyone with information about this case or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Havlick #4911 and/or Detective Dean #5021 of the San Jose Police Department’s Gang Investigations Unit via email: 4911@sanjoseca.gov and/or 5021@sanjoseca.gov, or phone at 408-277-3835.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.