Commercial burglary (gun store)

During the early morning hours of Aug. 12 a passerby observed a broken window to a business located in the 100 Block of E. F St. The Tehachapi Police Department responded to the location and discovered the business (gun store) had been burglarized. The investigation determined 21 firearms had been stolen from inside the store.

An investigation into the burglary began immediately. The Tehachapi Police Department has been actively working with law enforcement agencies in Central California as well as Federal authorities in an attempt to solve the burglary and locate the stolen property. Several of the stolen firearms have been recovered in Central California and potential suspects in that area are currently being investigated for their involvement in the burglary. The investigation while fluid, does not indicate any local ties or suggest any of the stolen firearms have remained in the Tehachapi area. There is no indication of any immediate threat to public safety in the Tehachapi area related to this burglary.

The Tehachapi Police Department strives to be extremely transparent and share as much information as possible regarding public safety in the City of Tehachapi. There are times, however, when information cannot be immediately disseminated to the public for the safety of the officers involved and to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Tehachapi Police Department, in cooperation with the other law enforcement agencies involved, will release further details at the conclusion of the investigation.