Over 50 guns, several pounds of ammunition and Nazi flags found at home of California man
A stockpile of weaponry, including over 50 guns and several pounds of ammunition, was discovered at the home of a California man who was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of making criminal threats.
The Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD) attained a warrant to search the Huntington Beach home of Mitchell Todd, 51, after a complaint was filed against him by another individual.
According to the Orange Country Register, the victim recently hired Todd's bird company to release doves at his son’s funeral. A dispute over payment allegedly led Todd to make violent threats against the man.
"There were threats made via voicemail and text message," Sergeant Jim Cota of the LBPD said. "The suspect had made a verbal threat, stating words to the effect of maybe you need to go be with your son."
Authorities went to Todd's home on Tuesday evening to follow up on the complaint, where they discovered a slew of firearms, including handguns and rifles, several pounds of ammunition, Nazi and Confederate paraphernalia and over 200 doves, which he used for his business.
1/2 Yesterday afternoon, Laguna Beach detectives served a search warrant on a house in HB after the suspect made criminal threats. A search of the house yielded the seizure of over 50 firearms and several pounds of ammo. Mitchell Todd has been arrested for criminal threats. pic.twitter.com/EePJYrv9kr
— Laguna Beach Police (@LagunaBeachPD) November 28, 2018
2/2 During the search detectives located over 200 doves, the arrestee releases doves for a living. The birds seemed well cared for for and will be taken care of by a family member. pic.twitter.com/LzXvawrTCF
— Laguna Beach Police (@LagunaBeachPD) November 28, 2018
Sgt. Costa clarified that Todd's arrest was only in connection to the alleged threats, adding that authorities were investigating his large collection of weapons as well as if he had ties to any hate groups.
"We do know that he’s got 12 weapons that are registered to him, and we need to figure out what the other 40 are doing in his possession," Sgt. Costa said.