In wake of crime spree, 1 suspect still at large
Officer recovering after gunbattle, wild chase
A manhunt is on for one of two suspects in a violent rampage through San Jose that included a killing during an attempted carjacking, four armed robberies, the wounding of a police officer, and a wild car and foot chase through town.
San Jose police are asking the public for help in identifying the accomplice of Jonathan Wilbanks, 26, of San Jose, who was arrested early Saturday and booked on charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, four counts of robbery, and charges of burglary and auto theft.
The wounded officer, who was not identified, was treated at a local hospital, and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
“The outstanding suspect is our main priority,” said police Sgt. Jason Dwyer. “This is obviously someone we don’t want to see walking around in our community. We believe he is an ongoing threat. He is public enemy No. 1 for us right now.”
Police said the crime spree began at 7:25 p.m. Friday when the two suspects robbed employees at gunpoint at a Little Caesars Pizza restaurant on Story Road. Fifteen minutes later, the two held up a gas station on East Capitol Expressway. About an hour after that, men fitting the same description robbed a Jack in the Box on Curtner Avenue before holding up a spa on Bird Avenue.
Only minutes later, Wilbanks and the other man shot to death Rory Parkpettiford, 22, of San Jose while attempting to steal his car in a 7-Eleven parking lot on the 400 block of South Kiely Boulevard, police said. Dwyer did not say whether the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, struggled with his assailants.
Chase begins
Dwyer said an officer spotted a car that fit the description of the suspects’ vehicle at 9:13 p.m. on Interstate 280 near Highway 101, called for backup, and began following the vehicle.
At a stoplight on Tully Road, the suspects suddenly jumped out of their car, approached the patrol car several vehicles back and opened fire.
The officer, a 10-year veteran, ducked as bullets smashed through the windshield and driver’s side window, Dwyer said. Officer Bruce Barthelemy, who had pulled up in a separate police car, returned fire, striking Wilbanks and prompting the suspects to run back to their car and speed away.
Barthelemy and the other officer, who was grazed by two bullets, gave chase. They were soon joined by several other police cars, and the suspects shot at pursuing officers during the chase. One of the suspects managed to get out of the car and escape on foot while the driver, Wilbanks, took off in the vehicle, Dwyer said.
Police said the car eventually crashed near Cunningham Avenue and Tymn Way, on the west side of Reid-Hillview Airport, where the bleeding Wilbanks staggered out and barged through the back door of a home. The startled residents ran outside and notified police, who surrounded the house. Wilbanks surrendered shortly after midnight, Dwyer said.
Wounds treated
Wilbanks was treated at a local hospital for non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds.
Police said they are investigating whether Wilbanks has committed other crimes.
“You don’t see this type of crime spree every day,” Dwyer said. “Any time you have a guy involved in that many crimes in one day you have to wonder.”
The San Jose Police Department has set up a hotline for people to give confidential information about the at-large suspect or his whereabouts, at (408) 947-7867. The San Jose Police Officers’ Association also offered a $10,000 reward Sunday for information leading to his arrest.
“I’m proud of the actions of the officers involved in this incident,” said Jim Unland, president of the San Jose Police Officers’ Association. “It’s yet another indication of the dedication to duty and dedication to the residents that we serve that these officers put their lives on the line to stop these crooks.”