WEST HILLS : 2 Held on Drug, Weapons Charges

A West Hills businessman and an accomplice have been arrested on suspicion of drug offenses and selling illegal assault weapons, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.

Thomas Spoonmore, 25--owner of Eye Spy Electronics in Canoga Park--and Christopher Lawniczak, 32, of Simi Valley were taken into custody Monday after an exchange of cocaine for weapons in a Thousand Oaks shopping center, deputies said.

The arrests followed a 4-month investigation by local and federal agents, Sgt. Gary Pentis said. At the time of their arrest, they were armed with pistols and had four pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $200,000, he said.

Search warrants were later served at Spoonmore’s residence, business and storage locker, where authorities seized eight weapons, $5,000 in cash and small quantities of cocaine and marijuana, Pentis said.

Eye Spy Electronics specializes in security systems and surveillance and counter-surveillance devices, Pentis said. Authorities began their investigation after receiving information that Spoonmore was selling counter-surveillance devices and assault weapons to drug traffickers, he said.

Working undercover, detectives purchased assault weapons from Spoonmore, including an M-1 carbine, an M-14 and three AK-47 rifles, Pentis said.

Spoonmore and Lawniczak were held on suspicion of possession of cocaine for sale, possession of a loaded concealed firearm and sale of illegal assault weapons, Pentis said.