SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KNX) — Seven men were arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of firearms, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies revealed on Tuesday.
The arrests were in connection with what deputies have described as an illegal shooting range operating off the Glen Helen Parkway, near the 15 Freeway and the Cajon Pass north of San Bernardino.
The range was discovered on Sunday when a California Highway Patrol officer cited an illegally parked car in the 17700 block of Glen Helen Parkway shortly after 10:30 a.m. The officer heard what was described as “loud automatic gunfire” in the vicinity. The CHP officer then requested backup from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and departed the scene for his own safety.
Responding deputies also heard gunfire near the Glen Helen Parkway location and discovered it was emanating from an open field on the west side of the road.
Deputies made announcements over a loudspeaker to have all suspects cease firing their weapons, secure them, then leave the area, according to the sheriff’s department. Multiple vehicles were reported leaving the area, which were then stopped nearby and searched by law enforcement.
After searching 35 cars containing 53 occupants, including small children, deputies recovered multiple firearms and ammunition caches. The haul included seven illegal assault rifles, according to the sheriff’s department.
Six men were arrested on suspicion of possessing the illegal guns, along with 44-year-old Candelario Lopez of La Habra, who was also arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.
The six other arrestees were from Bloomington, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, and Santa Ana, deputies said.
“The public is discouraged from using large private property areas as gun ranges,” the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
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