FBI Searching Big Island for Alleged Terrorist Fugitive

The FBI in Honolulu is reporting that they have received “credible intelligence” indicating that an alleged terrorist fugitive, Daniel Andreas San Diego, may be hiding on the Big Island.

Federal agents from Honolulu and San Francisco are canvassing Pāhoa and other communities in Puna for the 36-year-old fugitive, according to Honolulu FBI Special Agent Tom Simon.

Electronic billboards are being used in various states to inform the public of the search for Daniel Andreas San Diego, including this one at Times Square in New York City. Image courtesy FBI.

“He may or may not actually be on Hawaiʻi Island, but we are taking this lead seriously out of genuine concern for local residents,” said Simon.

FBI officials say San Diego is wanted for his alleged involvement in the bombing of two office buildings in the San Francisco area of California on Aug. 28, 2003.

According to the FBI, two bombs exploded approximately one hour apart on the campus of a biotechnology corporation in Emeryville, Calif. A month later, on Sept. 26, 2003, a bomb strapped with nails exploded at a nutritional products corporation in Pleasanton, Calif., according to the FBI.

Daniel Andreas San Diego. Bottom row is what he would look like with blond hair, a goatee, and stubble. Images courtesy FBI.

San Diego was indicted in the US District Court in July of 2004, according to FBI documents.

A reward of up to $250,000 is being offered by the FBI for information leading to his arrest and capture. Anyone with information to provide can call the FBI’s Honolulu office at (808) 566-4300.

“We hope that people on the Big Island may like the idea of a quarter-million dollars more than they like having an accused bomber hiding in their community,” said Simon.

“It’s important to recognize that this guy is considered armed and dangerous. If you know where he is, please just call it in,” he said. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt trying to be a hero.”

San Diego, who also goes by the name “Andreas,” is described as 6-feet tall and 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Daniel Andreas San Diego, age progression. Image courtesy FBI.

He has the following tattoos: a round image of burning hillsides in the center of his chest with the words “It only takes a spark” printed in a semicircle below; burning and collapsing buildings on the sides of his abdomen and back; and a single leafless tree rising from a road in the center of his lower back. These tattoos may have been removed, significantly altered or covered with new tattoos, according to information from the FBI.

According to the FBI, San Diego has ties to animal rights extremist groups and is known to follow a vegan diet, eating no meat or food containing animal products.

He is also known to have an interest in sailing, and in the past, has worked as a computer network specialist and with the operating system LINUX.

Daniel Andreas San Diego tattoos. Images courtesy FBI.