FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| TYPE OF CRIME: Possession and Distribution/Sale of Illegal Fireworks | CASE NUMBER: 23-183-0430 |
| LOCATION: San José, CA | |
| SUSPECT #1: Mark Espinoza | AGE: 49 |
| ADDRESS: San José, CA | |
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| Mark Espinoza |
| IN-CUSTODY |
In early June of 2023, Officers assigned to the San José Police Department's Metro Unit followed up on community concerns regarding the illegal use and sale of fireworks in the Alviso area of North San Jose.
Officers determined Espinoza was responsible for distributing large quantities of fireworks throughout the Bay Area. Metro Unit Officers obtained a search warrant for the suspect and his vehicles.
On July 2, 2023, SJPD's Metro Unit and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit Officers arrested the suspect who was in possession of illegal fireworks for sale. The suspect was subsequently booked at the Santa Clara County Jail and held on $1,000,000 bail.
On July 3, 2023, Metro Unit Officer served an additional search warrant at a storage unit located in the city of Milpitas.
In this investigation, SJPD seized over 1,000 pounds of illegal fireworks.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Officer Ells #4592 of the San José Police Departments Metro Unit via email at 4592@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4044.
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.
| BY: Sergeant Jorge Garibay #4218 | AUTHORIZED BY: Lieutenant O'Neil #3797 |
| DATE: 7/6/2023 TIME: 9:00 AM | DATE: 7/6/2023 TIME: 9:00 AM |