At the time of the bombings, he lived in Schellville, California, a small community outside of Sonoma, where he worked as a computer specialist.[7][8] His landlord described him as "very nice and personable," mentioned his claim to be starting a new business venture of vegan marshmallows made without gelatin, and said that he had never given the impression of holding radical views on animal rights. The FBI claims this was all an act.[2]
On August 28, 2003, two sophisticated homemade bombs exploded approximately one hour apart, at the Chiron Corporation in Emeryville, California, causing minor property damage but no injuries.[1][10] The FBI believes the second bomb was timed to target first responders.[11] Another bomb, wrapped with nails to produce shrapnel, exploded on September 26, 2003 at the Shaklee Corporation in Pleasanton, California, again causing damage but no casualties.[12] The bombs used ammonium nitrate explosives and mechanical timers.[13]
A group called the Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade claimed responsibility via an email message after each bombing.[3] FBI agents admit that they cannot prove San Diego has ties to the emails, but believe he has ties to the group that sent them.[2][12] The FBI stated San Diego is suspected of having carried out the bombing.[14]: 15 The bombing targets were chosen because they were both clients of Huntingdon Life Sciences.[9]
Disappearance
The FBI had San Diego under 24-hour surveillance in 2003.[15] He discovered that he was being watched and on October 6, 2003 parked his car in downtown San Francisco, California, walked away, and never returned.[2]
Most Wanted
Daniel Andreas San Diego was indicted in 2004.[12] He became the first domestic terrorism suspect to be added to the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists List,[16] and first animal rights activist.[17] In 2014, as part of the FBI's National Digital Billboard Initiative, San Diego was to be featured on electronic billboards throughout California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada, and Florida, and along the US-Canada border in New York and Washington State.[18] At one point, the FBI believed he was in the Northampton, Massachusetts, area. In early 2014, the FBI announced that they had "credible intelligence" that San Diego might be on Hawaii's Big Island.[19]
As of February 2022[update], a reward of up to US$250,000 was available for information that leads to the arrest of San Diego.[12]
Capture
On November 25, 2024,[20] Daniel Andreas San Diego was captured in Maenan, near Llanrwst (Conwy) North Wales (United Kingdom). He then appeared in court in London for extradition to the U.S. to face outstanding terrorist charges.[21]
