Beaumont Gang Task Force Raid Turns Up Submachine Gun, Ammo: Cops

BEAUMONT, CA — A Beaumont felon is behind bars on suspicion of possessing a machine gun after he was nabbed in town this week, sheriff's officials report. Thomas Chapparosa was arrested Wednesday as the San Gorgonio Special Operations Gang Task Force served a search warrant.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Rudy Cortez, the 25-year-old was under investigation for a theft that happened last month. The gang task force got a search warrant for his residence in the 400 block of Olive Avenue, which was served at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

"As a result of the search warrant, items related to the theft were recovered," Cortez said in a news release. "In addition, a 9mm Sten submachine gun and various types of ammunition were recovered from the residence."

Additional information about the October theft wasn't available, but court records indicate Chapparosa has a lengthy criminal past. His most recent trouble with the law stems from an Oct. 11 arson case. He was charged five days later with felony arson, records indicate.

Jail booking records show the suspect is being held at the Banning jail on $45,000 bail.

Anyone with information about Chapparosa or this case was asked to call Det. Casey from the San Gorgonio Regional Gang Task Force at 951-769-8500. Information can also be reported anonymously here.

The gang task force is made up of members from the Banning Police Department, Beaumont Police Department, Riverside County Probation Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

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Image courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff's Department