FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect

IN-CUSTODY

On February 3, 2026, at approximately 1:15 PM, San José Police Department Patrol Officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a bank in the 3000 block of Meridian Avenue. The caller reported that a male suspect entered the bank and handed an employee a handwritten note demanding money. The suspect was unsuccessful and fled the location in an unknown direction prior to police arrival.

Victims and witnesses provided officers with a suspect and vehicle description. Within seven minutes of the initial call, Patrol Officers and the SJPD Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) identified the suspect vehicle and began broadcasting real-time location updates using the City of San José public safety camera network and SJPD’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system.

RTIC conducted a registration check on the vehicle and identified the registered owner, Ryan Gress, who matched the description provided by witnesses. Patrol officers shared a photo of the suspect with RTIC, which led to a positive identification of the registered owner as the suspect.

Using ALPR data and public safety cameras, RTIC and Patrol maintained continuous, real-time awareness of the suspect vehicle’s movements. At approximately 2:19 PM, Patrol Officers located the vehicle in the area of Great Oaks Parkway and San Ignacio Avenue. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody and evidence was obtained implicating the suspect in the crime.

Suspect Gress was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for attempted robbery.

"What may have taken hours only took a matter of minutes thanks to our Real Time Intelligence Center," stated SJPD Chief of Police Paul Joseph. "The quick identification and apprehension of a suspect is critical to ensure there are no further threats to the community and no more innocent people being victimized."

“A would-be bank robber decided to run. Within an hour, SJPD officers used our RTIC to track down and arrest the suspect,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “That’s how investments in smart policing and dedicated officers deliver results for public safety.”

"By utilizing the City of San José’s public safety camera network and SJPD’s Automated License Plate Reader system, the suspect was in custody in less than two hours," said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "With the help of state-of-the-art technology and the dedication of our police officers, our city is safer." 

The SJPD Robbery Unit responded to the scene and is conducting follow-up. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Leonard #4913 of the San José Police Department Robbery Unit at 4913@sanjoseca.gov, or 408-277-4166.

This case underscores the value of real-time technology and the operational impact of the Real Time Intelligence Center. In roughly one hour, an attempted bank robber was identified, located, and apprehended, demonstrating how ALPR, public safety cameras, and coordinated intelligence directly support faster arrests and safer outcomes for our community.

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.