Police in Los Angeles have seized more than 550 firearms from two homes following a tip-off that a convicted felon was storing an arsenal.
A total of 553 weapons were recovered and one suspect arrested following the joint operation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the California Department of Justice.
On June 14, police conducted a morning raid at an address in Agua Dulce after receiving reports from a local resident that a man was in possession of a large arsenal of firearms.
During a search, 432 firearms were seized and resident Manuel Fernandez, 60, was arrested for being a felon in possession of firearms and a felon in possession of ammunition.
A follow-up search of the address on June 15 led to the seizure of an additional 91 firearms that were hidden within the home.
Detectives also recovered computers, cellphones, and hard drives believed to be involved in the illicit purchase of firearms by the suspect, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
As part of the investigation, police also searched a second location thought to be connected to Fernandez. A further 30 guns were removed from the property. The female suspect who lives at the address was not home at the time of the search and has not returned to the location.
"This case is a testament to the community's involvement in reducing crime and taking guns out of the hands of criminals," said Sheriff Jim McDonnell. "The swift response of our Palmdale Sheriff's Station personnel and the assistance provided by our partners at the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms showed the positive result of our campaign 'See Something, Say Something.'
"We are proud of the relationship we have built in the Antelope Valley area as we continue to build trust with the communities we serve."
Supervisor Kathryn Barger, representing Los Angeles County's 5th District added: "I applaud the Palmdale Sheriff's station, the City's Partners Against Crime and the Department of Justice who worked in conjunction on this effective operation and massive seizure of illegal firearms."
Fernandez was later booked at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station and bonded out from the jail ward of Los Angeles County Medical Center on June 15. He is due to appear at Antelope Valley Superior Court on July 9 to face the charges.
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