Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Officials Probe Why Robbery Suspects Had Gun of Ex-LA Officer Involved in 2013 Shooting Spree
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 months ago on
August 15, 2024

Two robbery suspects found with gun of ex-LA officer Christopher Dorner, raising questions about its possession. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LOS ANGELES — Officials are looking into why two robbery suspects were in possession of a gun registered to rogue ex-Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, who went on a deadly shooting rampage in 2013, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

One of the suspects, Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, a 19-year-old Venezuelan citizen, told police he had handled the gun and left it in the Airbnb where authorities discovered it Aug. 10, officials said. The weapon is registered to Dorner, who killed four people in 2013.

Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, a 21-year-old Colombian citizen, and Padron were stopped and charged with felonies related to an armed robbery. Sepulveda and Padron told investigators that they were involved in an armed robbery of a $30,000 Rolex on Aug. 5 in Beverly Hills. Two days later, they said they took a Patek Philippe watch with an estimated worth of over $1 million, according to an affidavit.

One suspect pointed a gun at a man sitting with his wife and two daughters on the Beverly Wilshire Hotel’s restaurant patio while the other removed the silver Patek Philippe watch from his wrist, the affidavit said. The crew had been surveilling for the luxury watch for two weeks, Sepulveda told police.

Authorities Investigate Connection to Dorner’s Gun

Authorities are investigating how Dorner’s gun came into the men’s possession, said Justice Department spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy. The gun was in a pillowcase on a bed where a witness told police Padron had been sleeping in the Airbnb, according to the affidavit.

The two suspects charged Tuesday told investigators they had been staying at the Airbnb and had photos of the stolen Patek Philippe watch on their phones.

Dorner killed four people, including two law enforcement officers and the daughter of a former LAPD captain and her fiancé, during a weeklong rampage in February 2013 that involved a massive manhunt and ended with his apparent suicide in a mountain cabin following a gunbattle with police.

Suspects in Custody, Linked to Crime Tourism Group

Sepulveda and Padron are both in custody and made their initial court appearances Tuesday. They will be arraigned next month in federal court in downtown Los Angeles.

Prosecutors said they were members of a crime tourism group. The groups “live nomadic lives to avoid arrest by law enforcement, including by residing in Airbnbs and cash-focused motels,” prosecutors said in court records.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

From Inflation to Bitcoin, Charts That Explain 2024

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Marching Band Returns to Rose Parade: Where to Watch

DON'T MISS

Hackers Exploit Chrome Extensions, Exposing Millions to 2FA Bypass Attacks

DON'T MISS

2 Security Guards Shot After Confronting Shoplifting Suspect in Los Angeles

DON'T MISS

FUSD’s Chief Academic Officer Named Superintendent of SoCal District

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Coaches JD Williams, Aaron Prier to Stay on Staff Under Entz

DON'T MISS

A New Year Dawns on a Middle East Torn by Conflict and Change

DON'T MISS

Former CNN Anchor Aaron Brown, Who Helped Viewers Through the Sept. 11 Attacks, Has Died

DON'T MISS

The 2024 High School Yearbook of American Politics

DON'T MISS

US Senator’s Son Gets 28 Years for Car Chase That Killed Sheriff’s Deputy

UP NEXT

Fresno State Marching Band Returns to Rose Parade: Where to Watch

UP NEXT

Hackers Exploit Chrome Extensions, Exposing Millions to 2FA Bypass Attacks

UP NEXT

2 Security Guards Shot After Confronting Shoplifting Suspect in Los Angeles

UP NEXT

FUSD’s Chief Academic Officer Named Superintendent of SoCal District

UP NEXT

A New Year Dawns on a Middle East Torn by Conflict and Change

UP NEXT

Former CNN Anchor Aaron Brown, Who Helped Viewers Through the Sept. 11 Attacks, Has Died

UP NEXT

The 2024 High School Yearbook of American Politics

UP NEXT

US Senator’s Son Gets 28 Years for Car Chase That Killed Sheriff’s Deputy

UP NEXT

Going Out on New Year’s Eve Night? Dense Fog Expected in Fresno and Clovis

UP NEXT

Nearly All of Puerto Rico Is Without Power on New Year’s Eve

2 Security Guards Shot After Confronting Shoplifting Suspect in Los Angeles

12 hours ago

FUSD’s Chief Academic Officer Named Superintendent of SoCal District

12 hours ago

Fresno State Coaches JD Williams, Aaron Prier to Stay on Staff Under Entz

13 hours ago

A New Year Dawns on a Middle East Torn by Conflict and Change

14 hours ago

Former CNN Anchor Aaron Brown, Who Helped Viewers Through the Sept. 11 Attacks, Has Died

14 hours ago

The 2024 High School Yearbook of American Politics

14 hours ago

US Senator’s Son Gets 28 Years for Car Chase That Killed Sheriff’s Deputy

14 hours ago

Going Out on New Year’s Eve Night? Dense Fog Expected in Fresno and Clovis

15 hours ago

Nearly All of Puerto Rico Is Without Power on New Year’s Eve

15 hours ago

Collector With a Heart Returns Stolen Rocket to Merced’s Kiddieland

16 hours ago

From Inflation to Bitcoin, Charts That Explain 2024

Despite a tumultuous U.S. presidential campaign and intensifying global conflicts, the economy is poised to end 2024 in a stable position. I...

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

From Inflation to Bitcoin, Charts That Explain 2024

The Bulldog Marching Band will showcase its talent at the 2025 Rose Parade, with viewing options available on New Year’s Day.
12 hours ago

Fresno State Marching Band Returns to Rose Parade: Where to Watch

12 hours ago

Hackers Exploit Chrome Extensions, Exposing Millions to 2FA Bypass Attacks

12 hours ago

2 Security Guards Shot After Confronting Shoplifting Suspect in Los Angeles

12 hours ago

FUSD’s Chief Academic Officer Named Superintendent of SoCal District

JD Williams, left, (cornerbacks coach), and Aaron Prier (running backs) will stay on Fresno State football head coach Matt Entz's staff. (GV Wire Composite/David Rodriguez)
13 hours ago

Fresno State Coaches JD Williams, Aaron Prier to Stay on Staff Under Entz

14 hours ago

A New Year Dawns on a Middle East Torn by Conflict and Change

14 hours ago

Former CNN Anchor Aaron Brown, Who Helped Viewers Through the Sept. 11 Attacks, Has Died

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend