Authorities disable electronic signal-jamming device in Morgan Hill

MORGAN HILL, Calif. - Authorities have located and disabled an electronic signal-jamming device in Morgan Hill.

The Santa Clara County Emergency Communications Department on Thursday reported that the signal was "disrupting, impeding, and interfering with public safety transmissions." 

Officials had noticed interference on a critical communication tower for the past six months, said Morgan Hill police Capt .Mario Ramirez.

The problems intensified over the past week, with neighbors reporting disruptions with their Wi-Fi, satellite and cell-phone service, Ramirez said.

Authorities pinpointed the device to a home near Llagas Road and Christephe Drive, by tracking its radio frequency. Police contacted the resident through a Ring doorbell but the resident wasn't home.

Investigators got a search warrant and forced their way inside.

"Upon making entry into the house, officers lost complete radio communication altogether," Ramirez said.

Technicians found two signal jammers and disabled them.

Immediately after that happened, officers radios and cell phones began working again, Ramirez said.

No arrests have been made, and police are analyzing the devices to determine whether the resident could face charges of preventing others from calling 911 or disrupting public safety radio frequencies.

A motive for the jamming isn't known.

"I can't imagine a Joe Blow citizen having that equipment to be used for anything other than malicious intent," said Morgan Hill Mayor Rich Constantine, a retired San Jose firefighter .