Authorities have seized more than 550 guns at two Southern California homes (LA County Sheriff)
Authorities have seized more than 550 guns at two Southern California homes and made one arrest after getting a tip that a convicted felon was storing an arsenal.
Sixty-year-old Manuel Fernandez was arrested last week after Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and state and federal investigators raided his Agua Dulce home.
Officials Monday say the searchers found 432 rifles and handguns, then returned later and found 91 more hidden weapons.
Finally, 30 guns were seized at another home believed linked to an associate of Fernandez who hasn’t returned to the home.
"Detectives also seized computers, cellphones, and hard drives from the residence believed to be involved in the illicit purchase of firearms by the suspect," the sheriff's department said in its release.
Fernandez was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and illegally possessing an assault rifle and large-capacity magazines.
He’s free on bond. A call by The Associated Press to his listed phone number rang unanswered Monday.
The Los Angeles Times, citing an unnamed source, reported that the owner of the firearms appears to be a collector as opposed to someone who intends to use the guns for violence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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