THOUSAND OAKS : 2 Arrested on Drug, Weapons Charges
Two men were arrested in Thousand Oaks and undercover detectives recovered four pounds of cocaine worth $200,000 along with illegal weapons and cash, authorities said Tuesday.
Thomas Spoonmore, 25, of West Hills in the west San Fernando Valley, and Christopher Lawniczak, 32, of Simi Valley, were arrested Monday on suspicion of possessing cocaine, concealing loaded firearms and selling illegal assault weapons, Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Pentis said.
The arrests, which followed an exchange of cocaine for weapons in a Thousand Oaks shopping center, culminated a four-month investigation by the sheriff’s narcotics unit, the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Pentis said.
A search of Spoonmore’s residence, business and storage locker turned up eight weapons, $5,000 in cash and smaller quantities of cocaine and marijuana, Pentis said.
Spoonmore owns Eye Spy Electronics in Canoga Park, which specializes in security systems, surveillance and counter surveillance devices, Pentis said.
During previous undercover deals involving Spoonmore, detectives purchased three AK-47 semiautomatic assault rifles, an M-1 carbine and a Mini-14 rifle, Pentis said.
Spoonmore was being held in lieu of $22,645 bail and Lawniczak was being held on $20,000 bail, jail officials said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
