A shots-fired call on a Baldwin Park block ended with detectives hauling away an AR-15-style rifle, a Glock handgun, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and several large-capacity magazines, according to police. Officers were first sent out Wednesday night to reports of gunfire on the 4800 block of Fortin Street. Detectives then launched surveillance, identified a suspect, and secured a search warrant that was served on Thursday. Police say the suspect took off before officers arrived at the original scene, but was arrested during the follow-up operation.
Police: Surveillance Led To Warrant And Arrest
According to the Baldwin Park Police Department, detectives used surveillance to track the suspect after the Wednesday night gunfire call. Investigators then obtained a court-authorized search warrant that turned up the rifle, handgun, ammunition, and large-capacity magazines. The department says the suspect, who had already fled the scene of the initial call, was taken into custody with support from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Community Violence Reduction Team. Police add that the investigation is still active as detectives follow additional leads.
DA Team Provided Investigative Support
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office describes its Community Violence Reduction Team as a unit that embeds prosecutors and investigators with local agencies to focus on violent hot spots and support enforcement efforts. As detailed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the team can provide investigators and analysts to assist with surveillance, drafting and executing warrants, and recovering evidence. Prosecutors have said CVRT partnerships across the county have previously helped law enforcement pull illegal firearms out of circulation.
Legal Note
California law tightly restricts large-capacity magazines and regulates assault-weapon features. Those rules are set out in Penal Code sections 32310 and 30515. If prosecutors conclude the seized rifle meets the legal definition of an assault weapon or that the magazines were unlawfully possessed, the items could be used to support felony firearm charges or sentencing enhancements. The same statutes include exemptions for sworn law enforcement and limited registration provisions, which can come into play when charging decisions are made.
What’s Next
The Baldwin Park Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact detectives and says more details will be released as the case develops. "We remain committed to keeping the community safe," the department wrote on its Facebook page. Any move to file charges will go through the usual review process at the District Attorney’s Office and local courts.
