Visalia police arrested two people Wednesday after an investigation into illegal gun sales uncovered automatic firearms, stolen weapons, and equipment used to manufacture guns at a Tulare home. (Visalia PD)
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Two people were arrested Wednesday morning after a monthlong investigation into suspected illegal firearm sales led police to a Tulare home where officers discovered numerous weapons, including firearms modified to fire automatically, authorities said.
The Visalia Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant about 6 a.m. at a home in the 900 block of Belmont, police said.
The investigation began about a month earlier after detectives received information that Fernando Sanchez Medrano, 21, was attempting to sell fully automatic firearms.
The department’s SWAT team executed the warrant with assistance from the Tulare Area Regional Gun Violence Enforcement Team, Narcotics Unit, and Special Enforcement Unit.
As officers arrived, Medrano and Alyse Fernandez, 18, fled through the back of the home, police said.
Both were later discovered hiding in a neighboring backyard and taken into custody.
During the search, detectives recovered numerous firearms, including weapons modified to fire fully automatically, high-powered rifles, and stolen firearms, authorities said.
Investigators also discovered equipment and materials used to manufacture firearms and convert weapons into fully automatic firearms.
Detectives determined the home was also being used to grow marijuana, police said.
Medrano was arrested on multiple firearms-related charges and suspicion of resisting arrest. Fernandez was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest.
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