Stolen assault rifle, other guns not yet found

Despite police serving two search warrants, the guns that were stolen from a Scotts Valley home last week have not been found.
“We have taken numerous acts to try and locate these guns,” District Attorney Bob Lee said. “It’s been a high priority for the community.”
Lee would not give specifics on where the search warrants were issued. The guns, which include a variant of an AK-47 assault rifle, a shotgun and a handgun, might have been sold, he said.
The suspects in the burglary — three Scotts Valley High School seniors — face felony charges of breaking into the home of an acquaintance and stealing four firearms May 4.
According to Lt. John Hohmann of the Scotts Valley Police Department, the teenagers broke into a house on Navigator Drive and stole numerous items, including an Xbox video game console and the weapons.
Neighbors reported a gray vehicle in the area and saw two men near the home that afternoon. Hohmann confirmed that one of the suspects owns a gray vehicle.
The day after the burglary, police arrested Scotts Valley High seniors Ryan Estrada and David Johnston. The two, both 18, were pulled out of class for interviews at the police station before they were arrested and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy, Hohmann said.
Estrada and Johnston are both active in school sports, according to their Facebook pages, and Estrada was a star running back and receiver on the Falcons football team. Both posted $25,000 bail May 6.
Estrada and Johnston could face six years in prison, Lee said.
“Any time there are stolen guns to the magnitude of an AK-47 being sold on the street, there is extreme concern,” Lee said.
Police are working with the victim to obtain all identifying information regarding the firearms, including their makes, models and serial numbers, Hohmann said.
Hohmann said the victim told police that his firearms were legal and had permits.
Possession of an assault weapon like the AK-47 is generally prohibited but can be legal provided that the weapon was purchased prior to the date it was specified as an assault weapon, according to California law.
The third suspect, a 17-year-old boy not identified because he is not yet 18, was arrested at his home May 5. Police searched the home and seized several items.
At press time, the 17-year-old was in juvenile hall facing felony burglary charges and an unknown probation violation, Lee said. Hohmann could not say what items were taken by police.
Hohmann said the 17-year-old was a friend of the burglary victim’s son and knew where the firearms were kept.
“It’s always disappointing when youth in Scotts Valley involve themselves in burglaries. I can’t speak to their motivation,” Hohmann said.
Police have asked anyone with information to call the department’s anonymous tip line at 438-8090.