Man arrested after bomb scare in North San Jose

The suspect reportedly called in a bomb threat July 3 to Ridder Park Drive; police say they found an inert but "viable" improvised explosive device.

SAN JOSE — A man has been arrested after reportedly calling in a bomb threat to a North San Jose office park, where police found the makings of an explosive, authorities said.

Felix Arnaz, 56, of San Jose, was arrested the evening of July 3 across the city from the site of the bomb scare, hours after San Jose police were called to Ridder Park Drive and Fox Drive, just north of East Brokaw Road.

It was there that the San Jose Police Department’s bomb squad and SWAT team responded to Arnaz’s claim that he planted an improvised explosive device behind a business, police said. The officers did find an object resembling an improvised explosive device, and “determined the item to be an incomplete but viable IED.”

Police swept the area for other possible explosives but reported not finding any.

An ensuing investigation identified Arnaz as a suspect; police say they tracked him to his car in a parking lot near Aborn and Ruby avenues in the city’s Evergreen neighborhood.

Police took Arnaz into custody, and then evacuated nearby businesses while they searched his car for more explosives. They again did not find any.

Jail records show Arnaz was booked July 4 into the Elmwood men’s jail in Milpitas on suspicion of crimes related to possessing a destructive device, and was initially held without bail. Court records show an arraignment scheduled for Tuesday, and that he has pending court appearances for drug-related offenses later in the month.

Anyone with information for investigators about the bomb threat can contact the SJPD assaults unit at 408-277-4161 or email Detective Madera at 4857@sanjoseca.gov. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.