Three people were detained in the Bronx after police discovered a cache of firearms, including defaced handguns and semi-automatic rifles, stored in their apartment’s closet and hamper, according to court records.
Prosecutors stated that two minors were present during the raid. The Bronx District Attorney’s office issued an evidence photo showing three weapons on a Spider-Man blanket, handguns in a duffel bag, and loose magazines in a cardboard box.
Pascasio Christopher, 21; Jose Arredondo, 43; and Bethzaida Sierra, 45, were detained early Wednesday morning at a Brook Avenue residence in the South Bronx. The three were charged with multiple counts of criminal weapon possession and pled not guilty.
Attorneys for the defendants either declined to comment or did not return inquiries.
According to court filings, police conducted a search warrant shortly after 5 a.m. and discovered two semi-automatic rifles, one with a folding stock and detachable magazine, as well as at least five loaded handguns, one of which was located in a bedroom hamper with its serial number erased.
Officers also found over 100 crates of ammunition, including buckshot and high-powered rifle rounds.
The office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark sought bail for Arredondo at $500,000 cash or a $1.5 million bond, but a court put it at $10,000 cash, a $30,000 bond, or a $20,000 partially secured bond. Sierra was jailed on $4,000 cash bail, and Christopher received the same amount as Arredondo.
The remaining two defendants had not been arraigned as of Thursday afternoon, according to the district attorney’s office.
