The San José Police Department recently cracked a cold case with the arrest of Miguel Vergara Perez, 26, linked to a triple shooting that occurred over five years ago. In the incident, which took place on August 9, 2018, at La Victoria Taqueria on Almaden Expressway, three adult males were shot and subsequently hospitalized. In a statement obtained by SJPD, the suspects were said to have initiated an argument inside the restaurant before stepping outside, where the primary suspect, now identified as Perez, allegedly fired at the victims. A terrifying detail of the crime also included a small child standing near the shooter during the event.
Investigators on the case had reached a dead end until new information surfaced late last year. With fresh leads on November 13, 2023, the San José Police Department's Homicide Detectives reopened the case. After a meticulous investigation, Perez, a resident of Rohnert Park, CA, became the primary suspect held responsible for this brutal act of violence. It was not until December 12 that the SJPD Covert Response Unit was able to apprehend the suspect, subsequently booking him into Santa Clara County Main Jail on attempted homicide charges.
The 2018 incident, captured on surveillance footage, prompted San José police to seek the public's assistance in identifying the individual involved. As the investigation progressed, the detectives leveraged the video material, among other evidence, ultimately leading to Perez's identification and arrest. The case had remained in the public eye, particularly due to the chilling circumstances surrounding the presence of bystanders, including minors, during the shooting.
Following the arrest, the San José Police Department continues to solicit information from the public that might shed further light on this case. Detective Sergeant Barragan and Detective Van Brande, lead investigators from SJPD's Homicide Unit, are the point of contact for anyone with pertinent information. Sources can reach out by email to [email protected] and/or [email protected] or by phone at 408-277-5283. Tipsters preferring anonymity can still help by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or submitting tips at www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org, with the possibility of a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.
