FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Benito Hernandez

IN-CUSTODY

On March 8th, 2024, the San José Police Department Gun and Hazardous Offender Suppression Team conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the manufacturing of privately made firearms in the city of San José. During the investigation, detectives identified Benito Hernandez as the primary suspect.

With the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Crime Strategies Unit, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and residential search warrant for Suspect Hernandez. On March 8th, 2024, the Special Operations M.E.R.G.E. Unit served the warrants and apprehended the suspect in the city of San José. During the search of the suspect's residence, detectives seized three firearms, six machine gun conversionary devices, one silencer, ammunition, firearm manufacturing precursor materials, and two 3D printing machines used to manufacture illegal firearms for sale.

Suspect Hernandez was subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for multiple felony firearm related charges.

Anyone with information about these cases or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Peterson #4250 of the San José Police Gun and Hazardous Offender Suppression Team via email: 4250@sanjoseca.gov or 408-537-3835.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.