San Jose police have arrested a man they describe as a serial burglar following a string of property crimes this year.
Since 2020, Johnny Miles has been arrested multiple times for dozens of burglaries throughout the city of San Jose, and his latest arrest has renewed calls from city leaders and business owners for changes aimed at reducing repeat offenses.
For some business owners, the alleged crimes have created fear and frustration.
“It’s very, very, very scary because when I come in, the mirror and window are broken down everywhere. I don’t want to have it happen again and again,” said Tammy Nguyen, a salon owner.
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She described the ongoing impact of property crimes on small businesses.
“Nothing we can do. It’s a helpless feeling. It’s no good,” Nguyen said.
San Jose police said Jonny Miles allegedly caused thousands of dollars in damage when a brick was thrown through the front door of a business in the same shopping center as Nguyen’s salon on Senter Road.
Investigators said that the following day, Miles targeted the Satellite Healthcare office on Capitol Expressway.
The rock allegedly used to break the front glass remains at the reception desk.
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Police said the incidents occurred while Miles was on supervised release after an earlier arrest connected to three other burglaries the previous month.
Mayor Matt Mahan said repeat offenders account for a disproportionate amount of crime and that the criminal justice system must do more to hold them accountable.
“If I was a police officer in the city, I would be frustrated with the fact that for a very small number of people who commit the disproportionate amount of crime, they’re being arrested and rearrested over and over again,” Mahan said.
According to police, Miles has served jail time for at least three dozen burglaries dating back to 2020 but was released and later accused of committing additional crimes.
“If they’re not in compliance with their court orders when they’re released, there needs to be a consequence. And I think that we just far too often see this pattern of a revolving door,” Mahan said.
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Legal analyst Steven Clark said the U.S. Supreme Court has advised judges to use the least restrictive means when deciding pretrial detention.
Following the latest arrest, Clark said prosecutors are seeking to keep Miles in custody.
“The DA’s office is taking this case very seriously. They have put a number of enhancements on Mr. Miles to try to keep him in custody. And if this case does resolve, they want a stiff sentence against him, particularly because he has been given so many second chances,” Clark said.
Miles has been arraigned on all charges and is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 26.
As the case moves forward, business owners and city leaders say they hope the proceedings will lead to greater accountability and better protection for businesses in San Jose.
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