It started with a heated argument. It ended a day later with 33-year-old Jesus Padilla being taken into police custody by a posse of sorts consisting of units from the Fremont and Richmond police departments, according to a Fremont Police Department press release.
Chalk up the posse presence to Jesus Padilla’s reputation as a violent offender.
The argument took place on October 29 near the Food Maxx on Fremont Boulevard. Fremont Police received a call from an eyewitness reporting a man waving a gun around as he argued with a woman. Officers responded and found the suspect still in the area, but the woman could not be located and the witness refused to come forward.
The suspect said his name was Jose, reports the San Jose Mercury News. No firearm was found on him, and without a witness, officers had to turn him loose.
It was only later that police discovered “Jose” had given them a false name. You see, Jesus Padilla was wanted on an outstanding probation violation warrant. Padilla’s records revealed he had a violent criminal history.
Police located Padilla’s car parked in the area of the Food Maxx. A search of the car turned up a loaded firearm hidden in a compartment.
Now police had to search for Padilla.
29th St. Richmond, where the SWAT team was on hand to arrest Padilla (Google maps)
Fremont Police got their Street Crimes Unit and Intelligence Unit involved in the search. They traced Padilla to a residence in Richmond, Calif., in the 500 block of 29th Street. Richmond Police offered its help, bringing in its Gang Unit, Narcotics Unit and Parole Team. Knowing Padilla might be armed and dangerous, they also brought in their SWAT team.
During surveillance, officers witnessed Padilla enter the residence on 29th Street, then later exit the residence and enter his vehicle. That’s when units made their move, performing a high-risk arrest. Fortunately, Padilla was taken into custody without incident.
He was returned to Fremont and booked on charges of carrying a loaded firearm in public, possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, giving false information to a police officer and probation violation.
Read more:
San Jose Mercury News: Felon arrested on gun charges after parking lot incident
