An assault weapon dealer was arrested in Sylmar. The suspect, 27-year-old Adan Bernardino of Sylmar, was taken into custody after a collaborative law enforcement effort managed to conclusively investigate and locate the source responsible for multiple illegal firearms transfers, as per the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
The operation was executed by a combination of units including the Ventura County Sheriff's Special Crimes and Gun Violence Reduction Program, Oxnard Police Department's Special Enforcement and Violent Crimes Unit, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The effort was to rigorously pursue and significantly diminish the supply of illegal firearms in the Ventura County region.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the raid occurred on June 26, at approximately 1:00 PM, leading to the discovery of a variety of unregistered firearms, including a short-barreled rifle without a serial number, alongside a considerable quantity of ammunition and high-capacity magazines. Due to his prior criminal history, Bernardino is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Despite the arrest, authorities are still urging anyone with information regarding illegal firearm manufacturing and sales to contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Gun Violence Reduction Program at [email protected]. Ventura County Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest and criminal complaint against individuals involved in such crimes. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can reach Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
