Three men wearing full-face ski masks outside the Westfield Topanga shopping center were arrested on gun charges, police said Friday.
Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division officers patrolling the mall’s parking structure Wednesday saw the men, one of whom was also wearing a cross-body backpack, which have become increasingly used to conceal guns, police said.
The officers continued to monitor the suspects and drove in their direction. As the officers approached, the suspects quickly entered the Acura they had been standing next to, then drove away at a high rate of speed while committing numerous traffic violations, police said.
Officers conducted a traffic stop for the observed violations moments later. They determined two of the three men in the car were on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and burglary
A search of the car resulted in the discovery of two loaded semi-automatic “ghost guns,” two high-capacity magazines, and 78 rounds of live ammunition, police said.
Brix Urulaza, 22, of Tarzana, Wilbert Majano Vasquez, 21, of Redlands, and Michael Crowe, 23, of Las Vegas were arrested and booked for possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and parole violations, police said.
Urulaza and Crowe are both being held without bail while bail for Vasquez was set at $35,000, police said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call LAPD Topanga Area detectives at 818-756-3523. Callers who choose to remain anonymous can call 800-222-8477.