Wanted man threatens to shoot people in SF with stolen guns, police say

Dustin Hamilton, 44, is wanted on outstanding felony warrants out of San Jose and San Francisco, police said. He has threatened to kill residents and police officers in San Francisco, according to authorities. Dustin Hamilton, 44, is wanted on outstanding felony warrants out of San Jose and San Francisco, police said. He has threatened to kill residents and police officers in San Francisco, according to authorities. Photo: San Jose Police Department Photo: San Jose Police Department Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Wanted man threatens to shoot people in SF with stolen guns, police say 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

San Jose police officers responded to a reported home burglary Wednesday night and found several firearms missing from the residence, but it was an alarming note left behind that shifted the focus from the crime scene to a manhunt.

In the note, the burglar — identified as 44-year-old transient Dustin Hamilton — made credible threats to kill civilians and police officers in San Francisco the same day, police said. It does not appear he went through with the threats, but Hamilton remained at large Thursday with little indication of where he was and whether he was still planning to carry out his alleged plans.

San Francisco and San Jose police requested the public’s help Thursday in finding Hamilton, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Some of the weapons stolen Wednesday from a home on the 1600 block of Husted Avenue in San Jose included handguns that could be concealed on Hamilton’s person, said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a San Jose Police Department spokesman. Authorities would not say how many firearms were stolen and what other types of guns he may possess.

Investigators believe the burglary took place Tuesday and was reported around 10:15 p.m. the next day, when the residents returned home to find the weapons gone, Garcia said. It was not clear if anything else was taken from the home.

No specific people or locations were named in the note Hamilton left in place of the guns, Garcia said. Although the day of an attack has passed, police remained on alert Thursday.

“We want to make everyone aware of the fact that this guy has the ability to carry out that threat,” Garcia said. “This guy could be anywhere.”

No other suspects are associated with making the threat, he added.

Hamilton, who is on probation, has two outstanding felony warrants out of San Francisco for assault and vandalism, officials said. San Jose police have obtained an additional felony arrest warrant for burglary, threats and firearms possession in connection with the recent allegations, Garcia said.

San Jose police sent out a news release Thursday morning seeking help finding Hamilton, and San Francisco police soon followed. Hamilton is “known to frequent the city of San Francisco,” authorities said.

He is 6 feet tall, weighs about 145 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes, police said.

Anyone with more information or who sees Hamilton is asked not to contact him and to call 911. People can also contact San Jose police Detectives Emilio Perez and Matt Brackett at (408) 277-5283 or the SFPD tip line at (415) 575-4444.