San Bruno police say a routine search warrant turned into something far more serious this week after officers uncovered suspected explosives, drugs and a small arsenal inside a home on the 2600 block of Heather Lane.
On Tuesday, officers served the warrant and arrested 32-year-old San Bruno resident Ryan J. Beardsley at the scene. According to police, the search turned up suspected explosive materials, methamphetamine and what they described as a large cache of weapons. Among the items seized were an un-serialized AR-15 style "ghost gun," two additional rifles, a revolver, several high-capacity magazines, ammunition and ballistic armor. Authorities said the scene was secured and that nearby residents were not at risk once the items were recovered and removed for analysis.
Detectives carried out the warrant on Tuesday, and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was called in to handle the suspected explosive materials, according to KRON4. Investigators also reported finding methamphetamine and narcotics paraphernalia inside the home, and said all of the items collected were taken for further testing. Beardsley was taken into custody without incident, the outlet reported.
Suspect's prior brush with police
Beardsley is not a stranger to law enforcement. A June 2021 news release from the San Francisco Police Department describes the arrest of a Ryan Beardsley, identified as a San Bruno resident, on several firearm-related charges in a separate case. That earlier incident involved a series of weapons allegations and is distinct from the current San Bruno investigation.
Potential charges and statutes
Prosecutors now reviewing the case have a number of potential statutes they could reach for, depending on how the evidence shakes out. Possessing materials to make a destructive device can be charged under California Penal Code section 18720, which classifies that conduct as a felony. In addition, owning or possessing firearms as a convicted felon is prohibited under Penal Code section 29800.
Prosecutors could also consider counts related to unserialized "ghost" guns and high-capacity magazines if investigators determine that the facts support those allegations. For the exact statutory language, see California Penal Code 18720 and Penal Code 29800, both available from California Legislative Information and California Legislative Information.
Police: no ongoing threat; tips requested
San Bruno police said the neighborhood was safe and there was no ongoing danger to the public after officers secured the residence and removed the suspected explosives and weapons, according to KRON4. Even so, investigators are still piecing together how the materials ended up there and what they might have been intended for.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the San Bruno Police tip line at (650) 616-7100 or email [email protected]. Those contact details are listed on the City of San Bruno website. The San Bruno Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad continue to work the investigation.
Police say the case remains active, and additional information may be released as it becomes available. The San Bruno Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office have not provided further comment beyond the initial reports.
