[Marxism] California: 1, 400 GUNS: Weapons search widens to Upland antique store

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

("Authorities believe he was running a paramilitary camp on his ranch,
training Mexican nationals to overthrow the Castro government.")
=====================================================================
(Here is the reaction from Cuba's GRANMA INTERNATIONAL to this story:
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/abril/vier21/18confiesa1.html
=====================================================================

1,400 GUNS: Weapons search widens to Upland antique store
By Mark Petix and Edward Barrera, Staff Writers
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3736807


UPLAND - Authorities seized ammunition, paperwork and a computer from
an Upland antique store and searched a home in Ventura as the
investigation of an Upland man suspected of hoarding about 1,400
weapons and explosives widened. Federal and local authorities
searched Robert Ferro's Finest Collectibles Gallery on Second Avenue
Thursday night and a Ventura residence connected to the Upland man
early Friday morning.

Photo Gallery: 04/19 and 04/21: Massive Weapons Arsenal Seized
RELATED ARTICLES:
. 1,400 GUNS: Weapons search widens
. Upland owner of massive arsenal denied bail
. 1,000 GUNS: Upland man said he was part of militant group
. Federal agents find more weapons, explosives
. 900 guns found in Upland home
ALL OF THE ABOVE MAY BE REACHED HERE:
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3736807

Officers from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, the FBI and L.A. Impact seized the material at the
antique store, said ATF spokesman John D'Angelo.

"We took what we believe has value for the investigation," D'Angelo
said. "The big question is where did he get the guns, and why did he
have them, especially the machine guns and explosives."

Authorities first searched Ferro's home on Tapia Way in Upland on
April 14.

A cache of weapons, including a grenade filled with TNT and guns
hidden behind fake walls and bookshelves, was found in the home.

Workers at businesses near Ferro's antique gallery said they were not
surprised to hear the allegations about Ferro.

On Friday, white curtains covered the windows to the Second Avenue
antique shop. A sign with "by appointment only" and a phone number
leaned against the inside window. Words marked on the mail slot in
the door read "unknown heroes."

Well-dressed men driving expensive cars and people who looked like
they were just released from prison frequented the antique store,
many times late at night, according to eyewitnesses who declined to
give their names because of safety fears.

Don Mannie, a barber who works a few stores down from the gallery,
confirmed comments made by Ferro's business neighbors.

"(Robert Ferro) would show up, whenever, with guys driving expensive
cars, and swear to God, you would think they were the Mafia," he
said.

The workers said they became curious months ago, when the store
closed with a sign saying it would open by appointment only. It
opened briefly right before Christmas, then closed again, they said.

Mannie said he never saw any guns in the store when he visited. He
added that Ferro had renovated the place several years ago and spent
a lot of money into it.

In addition to the Upland home, public records indicate, Ferro and
his wife, Maria, might own five other homes in Rancho Cucamonga and
Miami.

Records list the Ferros as owners of homes on Church Street, Valle
Vista Place, Center Avenue and Lockhaven Court in Rancho Cucamonga,
and on 28th Street in Miami.

They also indicate the couple transferred title to homes in Ventura
and Rancho Cucamonga to an entity known as Ferro Trust PT, and were
once listed as owners of homes on Norwick Street and Ironwood Court
in Rancho Cucamonga and Hythe Street in Moreno Valley.

Ferro was in U.S. District Court Thursday, where his attorney argued
unsuccessfully for bail, saying his client has health problems that
would limit his ability to travel.

Judge Oswald Parada denied bail, saying Ferro's claim of ties to the
militant Cuban liberation group Alpha 66 would give him access to
more weapons if released.

Ernesto Diaz Rodriguez, secretary general of Alpha 66 and a founding
member of the group formed after the failure of the Bay of Pigs
invasion, said Thursday that Ferro has no ties to the group.

Ferro was arrested in 1992 when 5 pounds of C-4 explosive were found
at his Pomona chicken ranch. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

Authorities believe he was running a paramilitary camp on his ranch,
training Mexican nationals to overthrow the Castro government.

Federal prosecutor Dennise Willett said Ferro could face between
eight to 10 years in prison.

Mark Petix can be reached by telephone at (909) 483-9355 or by e-mail
at mark.petix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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