On April 23, 2026, at approximately 1:32 a.m., Fremont Police patrol officers responded to a call of a delivery truck driving erratically in the 5500 block of Cushing Parkway. A short pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle became disabled on Grimmer Blvd. north of Auto Mall Parkway. The delivery truck company confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen. Initial unconfirmed information was provided that the suspect was possibly armed, and the suspect barricaded himself inside the delivery vehicle. The Fremont Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) / SWAT responded to the scene, and negotiators attempted to communicate with the suspect.
After several hours of negotiations, at approximately 5:45 am, SRT breached the rear door to the vehicle. The suspect ultimately surrendered and was safely detained. No force was used during the arrest, and the suspect was medically cleared at a local hospital and later booked into Santa Rita Jail.
The suspect was identified as Rafael Taniguchi Garcia, a 27-year-old male out of Union City. Garcia was subsequently arrested pursuant to CVC 10851 – felony of a vehicle, CVC 2800.2 – felony recklessly evading, and PC 148(a)(1) – obstructing, resisting, or delaying a peace officer. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will review the case for charging.
We would like to thank the Milpitas Police Department, Newark Police Department, and Union City Police Department for their assistance during this incident.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding the incident, please contact Fremont Police Department’s Investigations Unit at (510) 790-6900. We also accept anonymous tips. Text 'Tip FremontPD' followed by your short message to 888-777 or via the web at https://www.fremontpolice.gov/TIP.
Incident: Solo Barricade after Stolen Vehicle Pursuit
Date of Incident: April 23, 2026
Location: Grimmer Boulevard, north of Auto Mall Parkway
Media Contact: [email protected]
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