Surveillance images capture man kidnapping 3-month-old baby in San Jose

UPDATE:  A three-month-old baby who was kidnaped from San Jose was found on Tuesday and a suspect was in custody.  Read more here. 

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A man appeared to kidnap a three-month-old baby boy from an apartment in San Jose on Monday, prompting an intense search from local police to the FBI. 

The dramatic event was reported just after 1 p.m. at an apartment at 1020 Elm Street at McKendrie Street. 

Police said the man was not recognized by the baby's family. He was last seen traveling east. Police said there is no Amber Alert due to no license plate from a vehicle. The baby boy has been identified as Brandon Cuellar. 

Police said the baby was wearing a white long-sleeve onesie with dinosaurs.

Police released the following description of the kidnapping suspect: 

  • Dark completed Hispanic male
  • Black pants, dark blue shirt
  • Grey shoes with white trim
  • Short hair
  • Grey baseball hat
  • Black face mask

Police also released a video of the suspect walking down the sidewalk carrying the baby in his black car-seat carrier. 

At an evening news conference, police said they were alerted of the incident by the baby's grandmother. 

Brandon's mom was at work and the grandmother was in custody of the child. 

The grandmother was unloading groceries when the boy was kidnaped from the bedroom of their apartment. 

Police said it happened within a matter of minutes.  The mother is currently helping police by providing them information. 

The police said the father is out of the picture and is incarcerated. "I don't know whether that is going to play into this," SJPD Sgt. Christian Camarillo said. 

Police said there is an unspecified cash reward for information that leads to them finding the baby. The FBI is also providing police with resources by sending members of their Child Abduction Response team.

"We're going to stay on this until we find this baby," said Camarillo. "This person doesn't have an unkempt appearance. We do not think it is a homeless person."

Neighbors said there are thefts in the area, including car break-ins, but nothing like this. 

"I've seen a lot of things go on here but not a kidnapping," said neighbor Jerry Jaszkowski. 

"I'm surprised by that. This is so quiet. Nice place," said Isabel Ontiberos, about the neighborhood. "I need to pay attention to my kids. She like to run outside and play outside. Now I have to pay attention more." 

Police said to call their detectives at: (408) 277-4166 or 911 if you’ve seen the suspect or the baby. 

San Jose police have identified the baby as 3-month old Brandon Cuellar. 

Additional photo of Brandon Cuellar.