In a broad-daylight bust in a San Jose shopping-center parking lot, Santa Clara County deputies arrested a convicted felon they say was sitting on an AR-15-style rifle, stacks of loaded magazines and a serious pile of ammunition.
The Felony Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST) moved in on 38-year-old Jose Murrillo Medina on Wednesday. Authorities say he was already wanted on allegations of assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats after reportedly threatening his girlfriend with a knife and a screwdriver. Deputies say the arrest went down without incident.
According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, FAST took Medina into custody yesterday in the parking lot of a San Jose shopping center. Deputies reported recovering a loaded AR-15-style rifle, nine loaded rifle magazines, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, and what they described as suspected illegal drugs.
HIGH-RISK ARREST: Our Felony Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST) arrested a convicted felon with a history of violence on Wednesday. Jose Murrillo Medina, 38, was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats. He is accused of using a knife and… pic.twitter.com/aYr2UCfy8r
— SantaClaraCoSheriff (@SCCoSheriff) March 12, 2026
How FAST Moved In
FAST is the sheriff's specialized unit dedicated to tracking down and arresting high-risk fugitives. The team is one of several focused assignments within the agency and is used to target the apprehension of suspects wanted on violent felony allegations, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Felon, Firearm and the Legal Fallout
Because Medina is a convicted felon, investigators say the rifle and ammunition could bring additional felony counts under California law. Penal Code Shouse Law bars convicted felons from possessing firearms, and Penal Code California Legislature prohibits possession of ammunition by people legally blocked from having guns. Both laws carry felony penalties and are routinely used by prosecutors in cases involving seized weapons and large amounts of ammunition.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors will now review the case and decide on formal charges. The sheriff's post says Medina was taken into custody without incident and that the weapon, ammunition, and suspected drugs were recovered at the scene. The office notes that the investigation is still active and that more details could be released as the case moves forward, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
