Sheriff Uncovers Stash of Guns Stolen in Violent Robbery

Investigators have uncovered a hidden stash of guns and collectibles Wednesday morning that were reportedly stolen during the, according to a press release from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office.

The stolen guns were hidden in secret compartments under the carpeted floor of suspect Ernesto Gonzalez’s San Jose apartment, the office said.

The stash included many collectibles reportedly stolen in the robbery and “more than 20 handguns and 40 long rifles, including one assault rifle that was stolen from a Sunnyvale residence in a separate residential burglary case,” the office said.

Officers arrested Gonzalez on May 3, along with five other suspects, after serving five search warrants simultaneously around the Bay Area. One of the men arrested was a juvenile, according to the release.

The six suspects were arrested in connection with the violent robbery on the 1000 block of Rucker Avenue on Feb. 6.

Three of the suspects reportedly ambushed the 59-year-old victim as he arrived home around 9 p.m. that night, tying him up and “repeatedly striking him with pool queues and wooden sticks and pouring chemical substances over his face and body in an attempt to gain the combination to the victim’s safe,” the office said.

The victim suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack, temporarily losing consciousness. He was able to free himself and reach a neighbor for help, later undergoing surgery at a local hospital, according to the release. 

The men are suspected of taking several items from the victim’s personal collections, including guns, stamps, coins and playing cards. They also reportedly stole his pickup truck, which was found engulfed in flames in the area of Highways 9 and 35 a short time later, the office said.

The office described the arrest as a "major breakthrough," involving "countless hours conducting follow-up investigation and interviews in an attempt to locate the stolen guns to prevent these weapons from landing in the wrong hands."

Several agencies have been involved with the case, including the Gilroy Police Department, San Jose Police, the county district attorney and the U.S. Marshals.

The five adult suspects in the case are scheduled to be back in court for a plea hearing on June 14 and will remain in custody, said county district attorney spokeswoman Amy Cornell.

Those with information about the crime can contact detective Sgt. Julian Quinonez or detective Sgt. Ryan Elder at 408-808-4500 or anonymously call the sheriff’s tip line at 408-808-4431.