Caught on Gun Shop Surveillance Footage

A San Diego was arraigned on March 1 on federal charges of theft of firearms and being a felon in possession of firearms. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California, the defendant allegedly broke into a federally licensed gun store in Poway, California, where he and another suspect stole five guns and seven rifles, all semi-automatic.

The 34-year-old-man was formally charged with Theft of Firearms from the Premises of a Federal Firearms Licensee – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(u). He is also being prosecuted as a Felon in Possession of a Firearm – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(1).

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture of all firearms and ammunition for each count.

Early Morning Break-In

Prosecutors allege the man and a second suspect broke into Poway Weapons & Gear in the early morning hours of November 21, 2021.

They took at least 12 weapons and reportedly got away in a stolen Ford Econoline van, which was later abandoned in San Diego.

Surveillance video from the store and D.N.A. evidence found in the van enabled law enforcement to arrest the defendant in December. They did not find the stolen guns, but they did acquire more incriminating evidence and recovered two other firearms.

The defendant was arrested on state charges and held without bail. He was transferred to federal custody and held without bond on March 1.

Task Force Tracked Down Defendant

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the San Diego Sheriff's and Police departments, and the San Diego County Probation Department teamed up to capture the defendant.

Federal crime charges are developed with meticulous care and are hard to beat. If the defendant did the crime, he will most likely do the time. The only question is how tough the sentence will be. That's where an experienced criminal defense attorney can really help a defendant get the lightest sentence possible.

In the greater Los Angeles area, call the Sigal Law Group at 818-325-0570 for a free consultation.