A tenacious investigation by Gang Suppression team members, in partnership with our Crimes Against Persons detectives, resulted in the arrest of two men connected to a series of crimes, beginning with an October 2022 assault, and brandishing of a gun.
On Oct. 24, 2022 around 1 p.m., a car stopped and blocked the path of another vehicle trying to leave an apartment complex driveway on the 300 block of Escuela Avenue. The two suspects got out of the car and threw multiple large rocks at the victim’s vehicle, causing significant damage where one broke through the windshield, narrowly missing the victim. About two hours later, the same victim and another man were driving near Escuela Avenue and California Street when one of these same suspects got out of a car and brandished a gun at them before driving away.
A months-long investigation ensued, with Gang Suppression Team members ultimately identifying brothers James Esquivel, Jr., 27, and Andrew Esquivel, 22, as suspects connected to the October 24, 2022 case. Arrest warrants were obtained from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office for both suspects.
Investigators worked to locate and arrest the suspects before Mountain View patrol officers received another report involving Andrew Esquivel on May 29, 2023. A victim reported Andrew Esquivel called him by name, pointed a gun at him, and chased him for several blocks when he tried to flee in his vehicle. An arrest warrant was quickly obtained for this case and officers further intensified efforts to locate the brothers.
Last week, a search warrant was issued for a residence in Stockton associated to the brothers. In partnership with the Stockton Police Department SWAT team and the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, members of the Mountain View Police Department Gang Suppression Team, the Crimes Against Person Unit and the Crime Suppression Unit successfully executed the search warrant on Friday, June 23 at the Stockton home and both brothers were arrested.
A search of the home resulted in the seizure of a rifle, a revolver, a semi-automatic handgun, gang indicia, and other items believed to be connected to multiple Mountain View cases. Detectives also discovered at least one gun was unsecured in the home and was easily accessible to a child that also lives in the home.
The Esquivel brothers were arrested for warrants on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and Andrew was also arrested on a warrant for assault with a firearm. They were booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.
The Mountain View Police Department would like to thank the Stockton Police Department and the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in this case. Investigations are still ongoing to determine if these suspects were connected to any additional crimes.
Media inquiries can be sent to PIO Katie Nelson at policepio@mountainview.gov.
