DATE/TIME: March 20, 2022, at approximately 10:39 a.m.
INCIDENT: Possession of Assault Rifles, Felon in Possession of a Firearm
LOCATION: 17700 block of Glen Helen Parkway, Rosena Ranch
SUSPECT(S): Joseph Hurtado, 31 years of age, resident of Santa Ana
Lawrence Comm, 63 years of age, resident of Rancho Cucamonga
Francisco Cortez, 42 years of age, resident of Rialto
Martin Tovar, 36 years of age, resident of Bloomington
Fidel Ramirez, 37 years of age, resident of Bloomington
Candelario Lopez, 44 years of age, resident of La Habra.
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On Sunday, March 20, 2022, a California Highway Patrol Officer was issuing an illegally parked vehicle a citation in the 17700 block of Glen Helen Pkwy. As the CHP officer was conducting his duties, he heard loud automatic gunfire near his location and requested assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies from the Fontana Sheriff's Station responded to the call for service and arrived within minutes. Deputies located the parked vehicle with the citation on the windshield and learned the CHP officer had left the location for his safety. Deputies exited their marked units and carefully checked the immediate area near Interstate 15 and Glen Helen Parkway.
Deputies on scene also heard multiple high powered automatic gunfire coming from an open field on the west side of the roadway, later discovered to be an illegal shooting range. Deputies requested assistance from Sheriff's Aviation, Central Station Deputies, Fontana Police Department, and the US Forestry Service.
Deputies formulated a tactical plan and began doing PA announcements with the assistance of aviation, ordering all subjects to stop firing their weapons, secure them, and leave the area. As multiple occupied vehicles exited the illegal shooting range, they were stopped by multiple officers and detained while their vehicles were searched.
During an extensive detailed search of approximately 35 vehicles, containing 53 subjects (including small children), multiple firearms and ammunition were located. Seven illegal assault rifles were found and taken as evidence. Six male adults were arrested for possessing assault rifles. Candelario Lopez was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The public is discouraged from using large private property areas as gun ranges.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact investigators at the Fontana Sheriff's Station. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com
Refer: Deputy Diaz
Station: Fontana Station
Phone No. (909) 356-6767
Case No. 032200785, 032200786, 032200787, 032200788, 032200789, 032200790
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
