Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Training Location Burglarized Weapons Used for Training Taken NR11484kr

October 28, 2011                       
UPDATE

Los Angeles:  LAPD Commercial Crimes Detectives arrested five suspects in connection with the October 12-13, 2011 Burglary of a Downtown SWAT training facility that resulted in the loss of non-operable training weapons.

During the course of the investigation LAPD Detectives developed significant leads resulting in the service of search warrants at multiple locations on Thursday, October 27, 2011 and early morning hours of Friday, October 28, 2011. 

The search warrants resulted in the recovery of three weapons stolen during the burglary and the arrest of five suspects in connection with the crime.  The suspects arrested include; 29 year-old Richard Velasco and 41 year-old Gilbert Salcedo of Los Angeles for 459 PC, Burglary, 24 year-old Gerardo Vasquez, 28 year-old William Vasquez and 31 year-old Mauricio Hernandez of Los Angeles, for 12280 (b) PC, Possession of an Assault Weapon.  The suspects were booked at Metro Jail Section. 

Information learned during the course of the investigation revealed the involved suspects targeted the location for the purpose of stealing the electrical wiring within the building.

Additionally, one of the training weapons recovered was not originally listed as having been stolen during the burglary. The Department is conducting a physical inventory of all weapons assigned to Metropolitan Division, including those converted for training purposes only to ensure all weapons are accounted for. 

Detectives continue to seek the recovery of the outstanding weapons. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Commercial Crimes Burglary Section, Detective John Clark at 213-486-6940. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Los Angeles:  A warehouse in downtown Los Angeles that was used for SWAT training was burglarized last week, and at least 30 weapons used in training were taken.

The Los Angeles Police Department held a media availability this morning, October 17, 2011, to provide information about a burglary that occurred at a SWAT training location.  

It is believed that sometime between October 12, 2011 and October 13, 2011, suspects using burglary tools and bolt cutters broke into a warehouse location in the area of 14th Street and San Pedro Boulevard.  The suspects left with 30 weapons that had been converted to be used for training, including H&K MP5’s and .45 caliber Model 1911 semi-automatic handguns.  All of the weapons had been modified to accommodate training ammunition (also known as Simmunition).  They will not fire standard ammunition.  To revert them to fully functional weapons would require a great deal of expertise and parts which are only available to law enforcement agencies.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Commercial Crimes Burglary Section, Detective John Clark at 213-486-6940.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.