San Jose: Two arrested in separate graffiti cases, police say
SAN JOSE — City and police officials announced Friday the arrests of two men accused of engaging in “prolific” graffiti that blighted dozen of areas spanning San Jose going back at least two years.
The arrests were made over the past two weeks and are part of a broader effort by the San Jose Police Department, the City of San Jose and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office to deter spray-painted iconography that have long been a chronic resident complaint.
In the most recent case, a 19-year-old San Jose man is being prosecuted for felony vandalism and gang enhancements — which could significantly increase the potential punishment — in connection with gang-inflected graffiti reported between March 26 and April 11.
Police launched an investigation after several reports made to the city, and eventually identified the 19-year-old man as a suspect in at least 19 instances of related graffiti. The man was arrested April 11, and during his arrest, police reported that the man was carrying a concealed gun.
Authorities also announced the result of an investigation into graffiti that had been seen in downtown San Jose since at least 2023. Police said dozens of graffiti reports were tied to the same 20-year-old San Jose man whose signature “GOOB” was seen in most instances.
The man was arrested Tuesday in San Jose, and police said a subsequent search warrant served at his home led to the recovery of “evidence and indicia” of vandalism. The man was booked on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor vandalism crimes.
The arrests, which were revealed Friday at a downtown news conference, were lauded by city leaders. Police Chief Paul Joseph said the investigation was proof that “we will protect our city from those who choose to damage or deface it,” and Mayor Matt Mahan said that “graffiti isn’t just an eyesore, it’s destructive — to small businesses, community pride and even to public safety.”
District Attorney Jeff Rosen highlighted the thousands of dollars spent on graffiti cleanup in San Jose, and that the city and residents “will decide what art they want to see every day, not a vandal with a can of spray paint.”
Anyone with information about the most recent alleged graffiti case dating back to March can contact 5026@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-277-3835. Information about the case dating back to 2023 can contact 4001@sanjoseca.gov. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.