Weapons Cache Seized, Hate-Memorabilia Found In OC Home

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — An Orange County businessman was arrested late Tuesday after police raided his home, uncovering a massive weapons cache and stash of Nazi memorabilia, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department.

On Tuesday, police served a criminal warrant and entered the home of Mitchell Todd, 51, on the 15000 block of Cambay Lane in Huntington Beach, said Laguna Beach Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Jim Cota. There, they recovered over 50 weapons, which included assault and sniper rifles along with "hate-oriented memorabilia," Cota told Patch.

Laguna Beach police began their investigation of Todd, the owner of an Orange County dove-release business, in early November when Todd allegedly threatened a Laguna Beach resident. Todd released doves at the funeral of his client's son then confronted the man multiple times through voicemails and text messages over an unpaid bill. Todd's messages on the victim's phone became "more threatening," according to Cota, including "verbal threat stating words to the effect of, 'maybe you need to go be with your son.'"

The "tip of the iceberg" that led to the warrant was the audible sound of a handgun slide releasing on the other end of the line, Cota told Patch.

"At that point, we knew we were dealing with somebody who's got the potential of extreme violence."

During the search, officers recovered a total of 57 guns and several pounds worth of ammunition. Just 12 weapons were legally registered in Todd's name.

"In my career (the weapons stash) stands up there with the top five in terms of firepower," Cota said. In his experience, "this was an amount of weaponry that was not solely for personal use."

Along with the guns, some of which were collectible in nature, investigators also discovered a Confederate flag and Nazi memorabilia in the home.

Federal agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the ATF, are joining the investigation, and department investigators were researching and possible ties to hate groups, Cota said.

Over 200 "well cared for" doves, used in the arrestee's business, were discovered during the search. According to police, they are being cared for by one of Todd's family members.

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Laguna Beach Police Department Photos