On 02/15/23, at 8:17 am, SDPS received a call from a security guard assigned to the shopping center at 150 E. El Camino Real. The security guard contacted a male subject, who had been caught stealing alcohol from Safeway, and was attempting to admonish him for trespassing. The suspect had asked the security guard if he was armed with a firearm while removing a knife from a sheath on his belt. The suspect walked towards the security guard while making slashing motions. The security guard, who was armed, could not draw his firearm in time. When the suspect got closer to the security guard, the suspect turned away and fled.
While searching for the suspect, SDPS received a 9-1-1 call from the Bright Horizons childcare center at Remington and Sunnyvale-Saratoga. They stated a suspect (matching the description of the prior incident) was in their parking lot slashing the tires of several parked cars. The vehicles belonged to parents who were dropping off children. Four vehicles were later found to have sustained damage. The childcare center subsequently went into lockdown and all persons ordered to shelter in place.
Officers proceeded to the scene and located the suspect walking near the Sunnyvale Community Center. Officers attempted to stop and detain the suspect, who immediately became uncooperative and took a fighting stance. Officers attempted to de-escalate the encounter but the suspect continued to be aggressive. A CEW (Taser) was successfully deployed, and the suspect was taken into custody. After medical clearance, the suspect, 28 year old Joseph Quick Bear Alvarado, was subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for 148(a)(1) PC-Resisting an Officer, 240PC-Simple Assault, 245(a)(1) PC-ADW, and 594(a)(1) PC-Felony Vandalism.
Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to call (408) 730-7110.
