3 Linked to Thefts of Deputies’ Guns

Three law enforcement Explorer Scouts assigned to help the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station helped themselves instead--to the deputies’ guns, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.

Deputies thought it was an isolated incident when they arrested a 16-year-old Scout on May 22 after they found six missing handguns in the car he was driving. The youth, who had worked at the station for two years, also admitted to stealing two other handguns.

But Wednesday the department announced that two other Scouts, 15 and 16 years old, were also arrested on charges of burglary in the case. They were released to the custody of their parents and await juvenile court action.

The three Scouts worked together in the thefts of handguns, ammunition and other equipment from personal lockers and patrol cars, Lt. Frank Sebek said.