Bodycam shows fatal shootout with armed robbery suspect inside a strangers home
By: -----
San Jose, CA - On August 25, 2026, at approximately 12:31 PM, San José Police Department Robbery Unit Detectives located a wanted vehicle operated by an adult male suspect, later identified as Anthony Chavez, who committed two separate armed robberies in the city of San José over the weekend. The armed robberies occurred on August 22, 2026 outside of a bank located in the 500 block of West Capitol Avenue and on August 23, 2026 at a shopping center located in the 100 block of Curtner Avenue. In both incidents, Suspect Chavez brandished a long gun at the victims and took cash and miscellaneous items before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
During the commission of the armed robberies, Suspect Chavez was operating a 2003 gold Chevrolet Tahoe, which was reported stolen on August 16, 2026 in the city of San José. The suspect repeatedly changed the vehicle’s license plate, affixing multiple different stolen plates to avoid detection by law enforcement.
On August 25, 2026, shortly after the vehicle was located, SJPD Special Operations MERGE Officers responded to the scene. With the assistance of the SJPD helicopter AIR 3, the SJPD Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) and the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras and public safety cameras, and the Santa Clara County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATTF), Officers began monitoring the suspect vehicle's direction of travel. Officers then attempted to conduct a vehicle enforcement stop, at which point Suspect Chavez fled the scene. During the pursuit of the vehicle, Suspect Chavez brandished a firearm at Officers.
Suspect Chavez subsequently abandoned the vehicle in the area of Goodyear Street and Lick Avenue after it became disabled from colliding with at least one parked vehicle. The suspect then fled into a nearby residence, which was occupied by a family with at least one juvenile. Officers made crisis entry into the residence to ensure the safety of the occupants and encountered Suspect Chavez hiding inside.
Suspect Chavez produced a firearm and shot at two Officers, striking one Officer at least once. The Officer was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later stabilized.
Suspect Chavez was also shot at least once and was pronounced deceased on the scene. During the investigation, a silver revolver was recovered at the scene.