SJPD Investigating 2021 Homicides

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

 

 On August 31, 2021, the San José Police Department Homicide Unit was assigned to investigate a missing person’s case with suspicious circumstances. The individual, Samuel Torres, was reported missing on July 4, 2021. During the investigation, it was later determined that victim Torres was shot and killed in the area of Coyote Creek near Wool Creek Drive by suspect Ricardo Padilla.

The Department’s Homicide Unit in collaboration with the Missing Persons Unit, Assaults Unit, Gang Investigations Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET), and Crime Analysis Unit were instrumental in identifying and investigating this violent crime spree which resulted in the arrest and filing of violent charges against Padilla.

Suspect Padilla has several charges stemming from a violent crime spree which spanned from May 2021 until July 4, 2021, in the city of San José and Alameda County. Investigations revealed the following timeline:

• May 9, 2021, a stabbing incident occurred in the area of S. 2nd Street and Margaret Street in San José involving suspect Padilla.
• May 11, 2021, suspect Padilla was responsible for an unprovoked assault on a male outside of a 7-11 store in the 600 Block of Bird Avenue. In addition, on that same day, suspect Padilla was involved in a separate stabbing incident that occurred near Coyote Creek.
• May 31, 2021, Padilla shot and killed victim Thomas Calamia in the area of Prevost Street and West Virginia Street. He was later identified as the primary suspect. (Homicide #17)
• June 4, 2021, a Livermore Police Officer conducted a vehicle stop involving suspect Padilla. Padilla reversed his vehicle and struck the Officer’s motorcycle, and subsequently fled the city of Livermore. An arrest warrant was sought and eventually issued for attempted murder charges on Padilla for this incident.
• June 22, 2021, a shooting incident occurred on Berkeley Way in the city of San José, in which the victim survived and later identified Padilla as the suspect.
• July 4, 2021, suspect Padilla was contacted by Department Officers in the area of Coyote Creek. Upon contact, suspect Padilla attempted to discard a firearm. He was ultimately arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail where he is still in custody to this day.

One additional homicide will be added to 2021’s total. That number will change from 31 to 32 homicides for the year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Vallejo #3810 or Detective Harrington #4365 of the San José Police Department’s Homicide Unit via email: 3810@sanjoseca.gov and/or 4365@sanjoseca.gov or at 408-277-5283.

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