LB Police Arrest Hit-and-Run Suspect; Seize 15 Firearms

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LONG BEACH (CNS) - Long Beach detectives discovered more than a dozen firearms when they arrested a Gardena man accused of pointing a gun at a woman and fleeing a vehicle collision, authorities said today.  

Gang detectives and the Long Beach Police Department's Coordinated Response Team served a search warrant Thursday at a residence around Merit Avenue and West 173rd Street in Gardena, where they found 43-year-old hit-and-run suspect Jason Lopez, LBPD spokesman Richard Mejia said.  

While searching the residence, detectives found 15 firearms including four assault rifles that were not “California compliant,” Mejia said.  Lopez was booked on suspicion of carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an assault weapon and terrorist threats, all felonies, he said. Lopez was also booked on one count of suspicion of misdemeanor hit-and-run.  

Bail was set at $100,000. Lopez was released on bond Friday, according to sheriff's inmate records.  

The arrest stems from a collision about 12:50 a.m. Oct. 6 in the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Mejia said. Lopez was driving a black truck that collided with the woman's vehicle, he said. While they exchanged information, Lopez allegedly became angry, pointed a gun at her while still in his truck and demanded she move her vehicle.  

He then allegedly got out and moved her vehicle while brandishing his firearm, making violent threats, then driving away, he said.  

The woman was not injured, he said.


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