Suspects leave behind backpack with 29 guns
Early Saturday morning, Morgan Hill Police Department SWAT team members converged on a small strip mall in downtown, responding to the possibility there was a suspect barricaded in a gun store.
Suspects may have gotten away with one gun; 29 were recovered at the scene. The store owner said Monday morning that he did not want to comment, and he was still in the process of checking inventory.
The SWAT Team was mobilized just after 3am when dispatchers received a call from a telemarketing business next to the Gunworks, Inc., on West Second Street at Del Monte Avenue. An employee of the telemarketing business reported someone moving around in the attic, possibly inside the gun store.
When officers arrived on the scene two minutes later, it was not clear if the suspect or suspects were still in the store, according to Morgan Hill police Cmdr. Joe Sampson.
The K-9 unit of the Salinas Police Department was called to the scene, Sampson said, because other agency K-9 units were unavailable. Four Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies also assisted.
The suspects must have fled before the first officers arrived at the store, Sampson said.
“We think there was more than one person, and one of them acted as lookout,” he said. “There aren’t many cars on the street at 2:45am, and they probably heard our car coming, especially with the squeaky brakes the Fords have, gave the alarm and took off.”
Officers recovered 29 guns in a backpack apparently dropped by the suspects.
“That’s good for us, that the guns aren’t on the street,” Sampson said.
A hat – a “beanie” – was also found in the store, and Sampson said the backpack and beanie may help them identify the suspects.
“We’re working those leads, contacting some individuals, some known ‘shoppers,’ ” he said.
Before Saturday, the store had not been burglarized for more than 10 years, Sampson said.
It appears the suspects entered the gun store through the attic it shares with the Ladybug Fitness gym, Sampson said.
“We think they entered through the rear door of the Ladybug Fitness, but it’s not clear if the door was left ajar,” he said. “It wasn’t kicked in or anything like that. We think they went to the attic, roamed around up their and jumped down into the gun store.”
Officers were on the scene for approximately six hours Saturday morning securing the scene and conducting an investigation.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com
