What to Know
- At least 1,000 firearms of different makes, calibers, and models were found in the home
- Holmby Hills is one of the toniest neighborhoods in Los Angeles in an area known as the platinum triangle.
- Girard Damien Saenz, 56, of Los Angeles, was arrested
The site was too hard to miss.
Scores of weapons — rifles and pistols — were laid out in the driveway of a home located in Holmby Hills, one of the toniest neighborhoods in Los Angeles in an area known as the "platinum triangle."
An LAPD spokesman said the firearms, taken from a home near Beverly and Sunset Boulevards following a tip, were recovered during a joint LAPD-ATF investigation into firearms trafficking. Girard Saenz, 56, of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of possessing, selling and manufacturing assault weapons, according to the LAPD. Jail records indicated he was released Thursday on $50,000 bond.
"This stemmed from an investigation of an individual who was selling illegal firearms and manufacturing illegal firearms," said LAPD Lt. Chris Ramirez.
He said detectives from the LAPD's Gang and Narcotics Division served a search warrant around 4 a.m. Wednesday with the assistance of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
At least 1,000 firearms of different makes, calibers, and models were found in the home, Ramirez said. He said he'd never seen so many weapons in his 31-year career.
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"It's just beyond comprehension that somebody can have so many weapons in a residence like this in a neighborhood such like this," Ramirez said.
Saenz was released on $50,000 bond after his arrest. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Property and court records reviewed by NBC4's I-Team showed the home is owned by a woman named Cynthia Dianne Beck, who is listed as the owner of numerous other properties around Southern California. It is not clear, however, if the property owner was aware of what was going on.
Residents said they were shocked by the cache at the home, which is shrouded by hedges.
"It scares the wits out of you," said Chaim Mentz, a rabbi at Chabad of Bel Air. "When you see guns like this literally a mile away from your house of worship, the first thing you say is, 'what is going on here?'"
Neighbor Jessica Earnhardt said that "usually the cars just drive out and close the gates behind them."
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told NBC News there was no threat to the public.
As ATF agents helped process the scene at least one truck was in the driveway waiting to remove the firearms for cataloging.
NBC4's Beverly White contributed to this report.
