San Bernardino police find weapons, drugs in connection with carjackings

San Bernardino police Wednesday said they found a stash of weapons and drugs inside a cellphone business owned by the father of a man arrested in connection with two carjackings, including one at Cal State San Bernardino.

Officers recovered 18 firearms, including assault rifles and pistols, and seven pounds of methamphetamine while serving a search warrant at the business in the 3200 block of North E Street, according to Lt. Richard Lawhead, a spokesman for the police department.

Cesar De La Luz, 40, and Francisco De La Luz, 20, were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of assault weapons and possession of firearms by ex-felons.

The arrests came hours after Julio De La Luz, 20, who is related to the two men, was arrested with two others in South Los Angeles after a short police chase.

Julio De La Luz was wanted in connection with the two carjackings, which occurred Monday.

Police allege that Julio De La Luz approached a student sitting inside his green Ford Taurus at one of the university’s parking lots and brandished a handgun.

Police said he got into the car and forced the student to drive off and later demanded money and the victim’s cellphone.

Julio De La Luz then fled in the stolen vehicle but crashed a short time later. Police said he then carjacked a woman at gunpoint and drove off in her 2003 Lexus.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the stolen vehicle in South Los Angeles early Tuesday. After a short chase, De La Luz was arrested and is expected to face other criminal felonies.

The San Bernardino Police Departmnet’s gang unit conducted several investigations and later served a search warrant at Cesar De La Luz’s business.

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