Pasadena Drug Raid Turns Up More Than 30 Weapons; Owner Faces No Gun Charges
PASADENA, Md. (WJZ)—A police raid stuns a quiet neighborhood in Anne Arundel County. Detectives say they found dozens of high-powered weapons and the investigation also involved Baltimore City and federal authorities.
Mike Hellgren reports on what's next in the investigation.
The Associated Press reports at least one weapon was pointed at the street from behind the front door.
But there have been no charges filed in relation to the guns. Authorities are still trying to find out if the owner had them legally.
Inside the unassuming house on Hilltop Road in Pasadena, police confirm they found more than 30 weapons, including AR-15 and Bushmaster rifles.
They also recovered seven AK-47s, body armor, ammunition and magazines.
The Associated Press reports police found what looked like a sniper's position at the front door with a scoped, high-powered rifle facing the street.
"I never thought it was on my road. I was wondering what was going on" said Michael Gilbert Decker, neighbor.
Gilbert Decker lives just steps from the home.
"There were undercover cars all up the street here," he said. "It's not good. I don't like it. I have three grandchildren."
Police arrested and charged John Thompson, 45, with several drug-related offenses. They say this started as a narcotics investigation--in partnership with Baltimore City Police and the ATF.
Anne Arundel County Police are not revealing why Thompson may have had those weapons.
"I don't have particulars at this point. I just know it was numerous weapons, assault-style weapons," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police. "In a narcotics investigation, it's customary for detectives to seize guns for safekeeping."
Hilltop Road is part of an extraordinarily quiet residential community. It ends right at the water, and neighbors tell WJZ they are simply not used to this kind of activity.
"They were a SWAT team. They had guns," said Margaret Homberg, neighbor.
Homberg lives directly behind the home.
"I've known them for years, and they've never caused any trouble. I never heard anything over there. Nothing like that," she said.
Thompson is now free on bond. He faces no gun-related charges.
"It was relayed to me from detectives. There was no immediate public safety threat. Certainly, it's unusual to encounter that many weapons in a home," Mulcahy said.
Police have not gone into detail about the Baltimore City connection to the arrest. They say the investigation is ongoing.
Those guns are being held by police but they stress that's routine in cases like this. The weapons could be returned to Thompson if he legally possessed them.
