San Jose Officials Highlight Role of Intelligence and Technology in Quick Arrest of Suspected Bank Robber
San Jose, CA – City officials are praising the effectiveness of advanced intelligence and technology in swiftly apprehending a man accused of attempting to rob a bank earlier this month.
According to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD), officers responded promptly at 1:15 p.m. on February 3 to reports of an attempted bank robbery at a financial institution located in the 3000 block of Meridian Avenue. A caller reported that a man had entered the bank and handed an employee a handwritten note demanding money. Fortunately, no money was given to the suspect, who fled the scene before police arrived.
Witnesses and victims provided descriptions of the suspect and his vehicle, which enabled patrol officers and SJPD’s Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) to act quickly. Within just seven minutes of receiving the call, officers identified the suspect’s vehicle and began tracking its location using the city’s extensive public safety camera network and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system.
Further investigation confirmed that the vehicle was registered to Ryan Gress, a 41-year-old unhoused San Jose resident who matched the descriptions provided by witnesses. Utilizing photos and data, law enforcement was able to positively identify Gress.
By continuously monitoring ALPR data and public safety cameras, the RTIC and officers traced the suspect’s movements throughout the city. At approximately 2:19 p.m., authorities located Gress near the intersection of Great Oaks Parkway and San Ignacio Avenue. He was taken into custody, and evidence was recovered that linked him to the attempted robbery. Gress was subsequently arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of attempted robbery.
SJPD Chief Paul Joseph lauded the operation, stating, “What may have taken hours only took a matter of minutes thanks to our Real Time Intelligence Center.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan echoed the sentiment: “A would-be bank robber decided to run. Within an hour, SJPD officers used our RTIC to track down and arrest the suspect.”
San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire emphasized the impact of modern technology combined with police dedication, saying, “By utilizing the City of San Jose’s public safety camera network and SJPD’s Automated License Plate Reader system, the suspect was in custody in less than two hours. With the help of state-of-the-art technology and the dedication of our police officers, our city is safer.”
This successful operation highlights the growing importance of integrating intelligence tools and technological resources into law enforcement efforts to enhance public safety and enable rapid response to criminal activity in the community.
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