A months-long wave of graffiti vandalism that left public spaces across San José defaced has come to an end with the arrest of a 21-year-old local resident. The San José Police Department (SJPD) announced the breakthrough after tracking a single tag—“Byes”—that repeatedly showed up on public walls, freeway overpasses, and abandoned buildings throughout the city.
Graffiti Tag Leads to Major Damage Across the City
Police launched their investigation in 2025 after receiving multiple complaints through the City of San José’s 3-1-1 app. Each report involved similar graffiti with the tag “Byes,” which appeared in highly visible areas across San José.
Investigators say the man behind the vandalism, Andrew Estrada, defaced city property more than 20 times, causing an estimated ₹33 lakh ($40,000) in damage. But the impact didn’t stop there. His graffiti was also found in surrounding areas outside San José, bringing the total damage estimate to over ₹1.66 crore ($200,000).
One of the most damaging incidents occurred on January 26, 2026, on a railroad trestle near Old Oakland Road, where graffiti damage alone was estimated at ₹66 lakh ($80,000).
Police Link Vandalism and Illegal Firearm Possession
Estrada was eventually identified as the main suspect by SJPD’s Gang Investigations Unit through its Graffiti Investigation Detail. During their investigation, officers also discovered that Estrada was illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, even though he was legally prohibited from owning guns or ammunition.
Arrest and Search Operation
On January 29, 2026, police teams from various units—including MERGE, Assaults Unit, and the Gun and Hazardous Offenders Suppression Team—executed search and arrest warrants at Estrada’s residence in San José.
During the search, officers found spray paint, paint cans, slap tags, sketchbooks, markers, and even bolt cutters—tools commonly used in acts of vandalism.
Felony Charges Filed
Estrada was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and faces multiple charges, including felony vandalism and weapons-related offences.
SJPD Chief Paul Joseph issued a strong message following the arrest: “Defacing public property is a crime, not a hobby. Graffiti often leads to more serious crimes like gang retaliation and violence, which is why our detectives act swiftly to shut it down at the source.”
Overview of the Case
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Andrew Estrada, 21 |
| Main Tag Used | “Byes” |
| Property Damaged | City walls, overpasses, railroad trestles |
| Total Estimated Damage | Over $200,000 |
| Key Incident | Jan 26 graffiti on Old Oakland Rd bridge |
| Arrest Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Items Found | Spray paint, slap tags, bolt cutters, firearm |
| Charges | Felony vandalism, firearm possession |
