59 Firearms Seized From Felon's Home In Benicia

A Benicia man was arrested Thursday after police found 59 firearms and ammunition in his residence, a police lieutenant said today.

The investigation that led to the arrest of 49-year-old Ronald Sandy began around 9:10 p.m. when a 20-year-old Martinez woman called police to report Sandy was making harassing phone calls to her, Benicia police Lt. Mike Daley said.

Sandy and the woman were acquaintances who had a minor dispute,Daley said.

Officer Damiean Sylvester learned Sandy was convicted in Utah for possession of methamphetamine and had several illegal weapons, including a UZI semi-assault weapon, Daley said.

Benicia police officers then went to Sandy's home in the 300 block of East O Street, Daley said.

Sandy said he was storing several of his deceased father's firearms for his stepmother and showed the officers the guns were secure in two gun safes in his home, Daley said.

Officers confiscated 46 shotguns and rifles, including a sawed-off shotgun, and 13 handguns, including a 9mm UZI, and ammunition for the weapons, Daley said.

Sandy was booked in Solano County Jail for being a felon in possession of firearms, possession of a rifle with a barrel less than 18 inches long, possession of an assault weapon, and possession of ammunition by a felon, Daley said.

"Although they knew Sandy may have had some firearms in his home, officers were surprised to find such a large cache of both rifles and handguns," Daley said.

Even if Sandy was not a convicted felon, the illegal sawed-off shotgun and UZI assault weapon would be removed from the community, Daley said.