A gun belonging to notorious former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner has turned up in an Airbnb used by so-called crime tourists who were charged on Tuesday in the armed robbery of a $1 million watch in Beverly Hills, officials say.
Two South American nationals, who authorities believe traveled to Southern California to commit crimes, were charged with robbing a man as he sat on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
During a search of the crew’s Airbnb, officers discovered a handgun registered to Dorner, known for committing a series of killings before dying in a fiery standoff with police in 2013, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dorner, who had sought revenge for losing his job, went on a murderous rampage against law enforcement and killed four people before taking his own life.
It was not immediately known where the suspects in the Beverly Hills case may have gotten Dorner’s gun.
Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Columbia, is charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery — known as a federal Hobbs Act crime — and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
According to the complaint affidavit, on Aug. 7, the victim was sitting with his wife and two daughters on the restaurant patio when one of the suspects allegedly approached and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at him.
The alleged gunman reportedly pulled back the slide of the handgun, chambering a round. While the first suspect held the victim at gunpoint, the second suspect allegedly approached and removed a silver Patek Philippe watch, which is estimated to be worth $1 million, from the victim’s wrist.
Both suspects then fled the scene and eventually entered a blue Toyota Corolla, with Sepulveda allegedly serving as the getaway driver, according to court papers.
On Saturday, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the South American theft group had allegedly been staying. During the search, officers found a handgun in a bedroom that was registered to Dorner. Later that day, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox and reportedly identified Sepulveda and Padron inside the vehicle.
The Equinox was allegedly linked to another armed robbery in Beverly Hills on Aug. 5, during which a $30,000 Rolex was stolen, prosecutors said.
If convicted on all counts, Sepulveda faces a sentence of up to life in federal prison, while Padron faces up to 20 years, according to prosecutors.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California say brazen criminals from South America have been using travel visas to enter the U.S. to steal money, jewelry and other items at homes and businesses.
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