It was a tense start to the day on the 1400 block of Herald Avenue yesterday, when San Jose police got a call about a man spotted in a residential backyard with a machete. Officers say the call came in around 7:20 AM, and the subject, described as a skinny man in his 30s wearing dark clothing and carrying a dark backpack, was not found despite a search. Investigators say they are actively following up on leads.
What the police say
According to a public advisory from the San José Police Department's media account on X, officers received a report of a suspicious person with a weapon in a backyard on the 1400 block of Herald Avenue at approximately 7:20 AM. The advisory described the subject as a male adult in his 30s, with a skinny build, wearing dark-colored clothing and carrying a dark-colored backpack and a machete. Police say his whereabouts remain unknown and are urging anyone who sees suspicious criminal activity or becomes a victim to call 9-1-1 immediately, citing information shared by San José Police Media Relations.
Today at approximately 7:20 AM, SJPD received a report of a suspicious person with a weapon in a residential backyard located in the 1400 block of Herald Avenue. The subject was described as a male adult carrying a dark colored backpack and a machete, skinny build, in his 30’s… pic.twitter.com/xwp9VCixfy
— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) April 24, 2026
Local context
The advisory lands in the middle of a month that has already seen other machete-related incidents in San Jose. On April 15, police arrested a man who investigators say brandished a machete during a string of unprovoked attacks, as reported by ABC7. That case and others earlier this year have prompted officers to repeat a familiar message to residents: if something seems off, report it quickly.
How residents can respond
Police advise residents to keep doors, gates, and yards secured, avoid approaching anyone who matches the description of the suspect, and call 9-1-1 if they witness suspicious criminal activity. For non-emergency or tip-related inquiries, community members can contact local tip lines or Crime Stoppers. Investigators say they will share updates as their work continues and emphasize that quick, accurate information from neighbors can be crucial to locating suspects and keeping the neighborhood safe.
