On a recent traffic stop on the 8200 block of Compton Ave. in the Florence unincorporated area of South Los Angeles, deputies from Century Sheriff's Station recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The gun was not registered to the driver, but to someone else living in Los Angeles. Assisting deputies were able to contact the registered owner of the gun who stated the gun was stolen from him back in 1996, along with a second pistol, while he was unloading groceries from his car in Culver City.
The victim of that theft stated he reported the incident to his local police agency; who then wrote a courtesy report for Culver City Police as the crime occurred in their jurisdiction. Unfortunately the gun was never described in any report and was an unreported stolen gun for nearly 17 years.
The assisting unit then generated a courtesy report for the Culver City Police Department finally listing the gun as stolen.
The driver of the vehicle stopped by deputies stated he is an undocumented person living in the United States who had emigrated from Mexico. He purchased the gun from a man in Compton and carried the pistol for his own protection.
The driver was subsequently arrested for charges that included possession of a concealed firearm in public and receiving stolen property. Arrangements for the gun to be returned to the victim are likely after the court proceedings.
www.Century.lasd.org
