Suspect Held After Series of Handgun Thefts From Store

San Fernando police arrested a 22-year-old man early Sunday morning in connection with the latest in a series of four break-ins at a sporting goods store in which about 80 handguns have been taken, police said.

Police are investigating a possible link between the suspect arrested Sunday and the previous burglaries at San Fernando Sportings Goods, 1100 San Fernando Road, said police Sgt. Michael Harvey.

Albert Medina, 22, of San Fernando was arrested at 3:36 a.m., police said, as he emerged from a rooftop air-conditioning duct he allegedly used to enter the building. The police had responded to an alarm at 2:30 a.m. and had surrounded the business. Police said that, when they later entered the building, they found about 30 rifles and shotguns removed from racks and leaning against a wall.

Bail Set at $100,000

Harvey said San Fernando Municipal Judge Michael S. Luros at 7 a.m. Sunday set bail for Medina at $100,000, although felony bail guidelines stipulate bail of about $2,500 for the one count of burglary for which Medina was arrested.

The unusually high bail was requested by police, Harvey said, in light of their investigation of the other burglaries and a Jan. 15 Los Angeles Police Department warrant for Medina’s arrest stemming from his failure to appear in court in connection with a narcotics charge.

The bail request document submitted to Luros by police described Medina as a “known gang member,” Harvey said. The document states that the Sunday morning break-in was the fourth at the location within three months, he said.

Harvey quoted the bail request as saying: “The point of entry has been the same spot on the roof for all four burglaries.”

Remains in Jail

Harvey said Medina remained in the San Fernando Jail on Sunday evening in lieu of bail.

San Fernando police arriving on the scene Sunday saw “one and possibly two” people inside the sporting goods store’s firearms department, Harvey said. Using a public address system, police ordered the intruders out. An hour later, officers on the roof apprehended Medina, Harvey said.

San Fernando police and members of the Los Angeles Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics team waited outside the building until 7 a.m. in the belief that another man might be inside. When they entered, they found the business empty, Harvey said.