SJPD Arrests Suspect for Bomb Threats and Swatting Calls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

From September 1, 2023 to September 11, 2023, the San José Police Department responded to multiple calls for suspicious circumstances at various locations throughout the city of San José involving bomb threats and swatting calls. A swatting call is when a hoax call is made regarding a serious crime to draw a large response from law enforcement. The preliminary investigation revealed the following:

On September 11, 2023, SJPD Officers responded to a residence in San José on a report of a welfare check. An out-of-state police department reported that they received an online message that the resident was going to kill his family. Officers responded to the house and located all the occupants alive and well, and did not perceive any threat to safety. There was also a prior swatting call involving the same address on September 4, 2023. On that date SJPD responded to a call of a resident claiming he was going to shoot himself.

During the same period, SJPD also responded to calls regarding bomb threats at Yerba Buena High School and the San Jose Unified School District. The unidentified suspect claimed he was the resident of that same residential address and planned to blow up the campuses.

The suspect then continued to make threats and swatting calls in Redwood City, California and Kansas City, Missouri.

SJPD Patrol Officers identified the responsible suspect as Efren Loredo, the ex-boyfriend of an adult female living at that residential address. The suspect had a history of making threats against the female and her current husband, and had an active felony warrant for his arrest.

On September 11, 2023, Officers coordinated with the SJPD Assaults Unit to procure a search warrant for his residence where electronic evidence was located. Suspect Loredo was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for his active warrant and other various charges.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Martinez #4533 of the San José Police Department Assaults Unit at 4533@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4161.

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.