Guns Seized, Arrests Made In Napa Burglary Investigation: NSIB

NAPA, CA — An AK-47 found under a toddler's bed was among six guns seized Wednesday when law enforcement served a search warrant in connection with a residential burglary earlier this month, according to the Napa Special Investigations Bureau. Detectives with the NSIB, the Napa County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol descended Wednesday on a residence in the 300 block of South Minahen Street with warrants to conduct a search of known gang member Abisai Hernandez-Mendoza's home, according to NSIB Lt. Rick Greenberg.

Guns were among items taken in the residential burglary, and after identifying the suspect in the burglary as Jake Lenning, detectives developed information that the guns may be at Hernandez-Mendoza's residence, Greenberg said.

According to the lieutenant, six firearms, including two assault rifles, were seized Wednesday in the search of Hernandez-Mendoza's residence.

"One of the assault rifles, an AK-47, was located under a toddler's bed and found to be reported stolen in Modesto, CA," Greenberg said.

A handgun was also seized, and was determined by detectives to be one of the firearms reported stolen in the Napa burglary that Lenning is accused in, Greenberg said.

Jail records show Lenning was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of burglary and driving a stolen vehicle. Lenning's bail was set at $100,000, and as of noon Thursday he remained in custody at the Napa County Detention Center.

As for Hernandez-Mendoza, whom NSIB detectives believe is a Norteno gang member, he was arrested on suspicion of numerous felony firearm-related charges. Hernandez-Mendoza was booked into the Napa County jail Wednesday but was shortly released from custody on $50,000 bail.