SALINAS, Calif - A Salinas City Councilwoman will not face charges after someone stole a high power assault rifle from her home, Salinas Police said Wednesday.
According to Salinas Police, on January 24th, someone stole the weapon and $700 worth of jewelry from the home of Gloria DeLaRosa on the 700 block of St Michael Way. Because California Penal Code 30605(a) prohibits possession of an assault rifle in the State of California, Salinas Police Detectives and agents from the Bureaus of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) conducted an investigation.
The Monterey County District Attorney's Office elected not to file charges against any persons involved based on the evidence available at this time.
While the exact make and model of the rifle is unknown, based on evidence and statements Salinas Police believe the weapon is an AK-47/SKS variant. A 30 round magazine for the rifle was also stolen.
The Salinas Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in finding the suspect(s) responsible for this burglary and the recovery of the firearm. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".
In the interest of public safety, the Salinas Police Department would like to remind all gun owners that as gun owners, it is their responsibility to store their weapons in such a manner as to prevent accidental firing of the weapon, and to prevent the theft of the weapon. In this case, the stolen weapon was hidden from sight but not secured in a safe or by other means. It was not equipped with a trigger lock or any other device that would prevent it from being fired.
Additionally, the Salinas Police Department will remove and destroy any unwanted weapons that people may have in their position. It is in the interest of public safety to remove unwanted weapons to ensure they do not fall into the hands of irresponsible persons such as children who may accidentally fire the weapon, or are not stolen and diverted into the criminal market. Weapons turned in to the Salinas Police Department are destroyed, they are not sold or otherwise returned to circulation. Anyone who would like to turn in a weapon for destruction should call SPD at 758-7321 to arrange for disposal. Under no circumstances should anyone bring a firearm to the police department without first receiving specific instructions from a police officer.
