Arson suspect nabbed as SJPD probes 14th homicide of year

(KRON) — A suspect has been arrested in an arson at a commercial building on early Monday that killed one person, resulting in the 14th homicide of the year in San Jose.

The San Jose Police Department said Yessenia Estrada was taken into custody by patrol officers on Tuesday and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for suspicion of murder and arson.

SJPD said officers responded at 3:58 a.m. on Monday to investigate the report of a blaze in the 200 block of North 27th Street.

“Upon arrival, Officers learned that the structure fire was likely caused by arson. SJFD Arson investigators responded to the scene to assist,” said San Jose police.

Police said officials could not locate an employee who was supposed to be in the building at the time of the fire.

“Due to the structural instability, a full search for potential victims could not be safely conducted. However, multiple indicators suggested a victim may still be inside. As a result, the San José Police Department Homicide Unit responded to the scene and worked jointly with SJFD Arson to investigate the incident,” added police.

SJPD confirmed that a body was discovered inside of the structure on Tuesday by members of the SJPD Crime Scene Unit, SJFD Urban Search and Rescue, and the Office of the Medical Examiner. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.

Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Barragan #4106 or Detective Harrington #4365 of the San José Police Department’s Homicide Unit via email: 4106@sanjoseca.gov or 4365@sanjoseca.gov, or by calling (408) 277-5283.

Anonymous crime tips are welcomed by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information provided leads to an arrest, there is an eligible cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.