Group of teens arrested in connection to violent San Jose crime spree

(KRON) — A group of teenage criminals allegedly involved in numerous commercial burglaries, vehicle thefts and attempted carjackings throughout San Jose between December of 2024 and March of 2025 were recently arrested, according to the San Jose Police Department. 

The crime spree started at 6:07 a.m. on Christmas Eve, when a business was burglarized at the 2300 block of Almaden Road. During the burglary, four suspects rammed a car through the building’s facade and proceeded to steal various pieces of merchandise before SJPD officers arrived at the scene. The burglary was followed by dozens of similar break-ins in a period of several weeks.

“The crimes involved a group of suspects committing armed vehicle thefts, and subsequently using the stolen vehicles to force entry into various businesses by driving them directly into storefronts or utilizing a chain to rip off door frames before burglarizing them,” SJPD said. “The suspects would then take various items from the businesses and flee the scene in the stolen vehicles.”

On March 25 at about 3 a.m., SJPD responded to a home regarding two stolen cars. At 3:15 a.m., an attempted carjacking was also reported in the area.

“Suspects shattered the victim’s vehicle window, triggering the alarm,” SJPD said. “When the victim attempted to intervene, the suspects brandished firearms and threatened to shoot. They then fled the scene in three vehicles.”

At around 3:40 a.m., SJPD officers found suspects driving two stolen cars in downtown San Jose. SJPD attempted to pull the cars over, but the suspects escaped from officers without a pursuit.

“While no pursuit was initiated, one vehicle was later found disabled on the Highway 101 on-ramp,” SJPD said. “Two suspects fled on foot; one juvenile was apprehended. During the foot pursuit of the second suspect, the individual brandished a firearm at an officer, forcing the officer to take cover.”

At 4:08 a.m., suspects were again seen leaving the area in multiple cars. In an effort to escape, the suspects intentionally rammed a patrol vehicle, SJPD said. After a foot chase with officers, two more underage suspects were arrested.

While investigating the car theft, SJPD learned that the Santa Clara Police Department was also investigating several similar crimes. Through a joint investigation, detectives identified six boys ranging from 14 to 16 years old who were suspected of committing the string of violent crimes. Detectives obtained warrants to arrest three outstanding suspects and search several homes.

On June 17, three underage suspects were found and arrested in Milpitas and San Jose. Two adult women related to the teen suspects were also arrested for allegedly attempting to discard evidence, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, SJPD said.

During the search, detectives found a loaded magazine, ski-masks, key FOBs, an On-Board diagnostics reader, several fake guns, ammo and steel chains. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department robbery unit.