Federal authorities Tuesday announced the arrest of six men on suspicion of a nine-month-long smash-and-grab burglary spree targeting gun stores across Southern California.
Starting in October 2023, the men — four teenagers and two in their early 20s — are accused of stealing vehicles and then ramming those vehicles into gun stores where they would ransack display cases. The federal indictment alleges that the scheme used other stolen cars as getaway vehicles.
According to the indictment, the stolen firearms were sold on the black market to other criminals involved in separate criminal investigations.
Where were the broken-into gun stores located in California?
Broken into or attempted break-in store included:
- Oct. 9, 2023: Chaparral Coin and Gun in Murrieta, where 43 firearms were stolen;
- March 25: Poway Weapons and Gear in Poway, where 78 firearms were stolen;
- June 12: Ammo Bros in Ontario (attempted)
- June 13: Fallbrook Guns and Ammo (attempted)
- June 17: Firearms Unknown in Oceanside, where 33 firearms were stolen
- June 18: Ammo Bros in Riverside, where 25 firearms were stolen
- July 1: Camarillo Gun Store in Camarillo, where 63 firearms were stolen
- July 9: Smokin Barrel Gun Store in Simi Valley (attempted)
- July 13: Fowler’s Gun Room in Orange, where 70 firearms were stolen.
Raid leads to smash-and-grab gun store arrests
The men were arrested on July 13 after a residence in Orange was raided by federal and local law enforcement. All six are expected to make their first court appearance on Tuesday and be officially arraigned on charges of conspiracy to steal firearms from the premises of a federal firearms licensee in the coming weeks.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and Orange Police Department are investigating this matter.
If convicted, the men could each face a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Other 'smash and grab' crimes in Southern California
In an unrelated case, also on Tuesday San Bernardino County officials announced 12 felony and 24 misdemeanor arrests after a multi-week investigation dubbed Operation SMASH & Grab after a two-week investigation that started in late June.
Items stolen include laundry detergent, motor oil, cleaning supplies, and paper plates.
The operation focused on the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills.
How California is proposing to reform law to combat retail theft
In November, California voters will vote on whether to repeal parts of the decade-old Proposition 47, which reduced punishments for some nonviolent crimes. The measure would allow prosecutors to seek prison time and felony charges for individuals with three or more drug possession or theft convictions.
Law enforcement and business groups blame Prop. 47 for increasing thefts, though there are no empirical studies linking Prop. 47 reforms to crime increases.
Local California State
Most Popular
Comments / 0