Police Investigate After Infamous Former Officer’s Gun Found in Robbery Case

Police have uncovered a shocking link to the infamous ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner in an ongoing robbery investigation.

At a Glance

Authorities are investigating how two suspects came into possession of Christopher Dorner’s gun.
Christopher Dorner’s 2013 shooting spree left four people dead.
Suspects involved in an armed robbery of luxury watches worth over $1 million.
Suspects Sepulveda and Padron charged and in custody with charges leading to potential life sentences in federal prison.
Dorner’s gun was found in an Airbnb where suspect Padron had stayed.

Robbery Investigation Uncovers Shocking Connection

Authorities are investigating a robbery case that has unearthed a surprising connection to one of the most infamous figures in recent law enforcement history. A gun registered to ex-Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, who allegedly went on a deadly shooting rampage in 2013, has been found in the possession of two robbery suspects. This discovery comes during an investigation into an armed robbery involving luxury watches worth over $1 million.

Christopher Dorner’s gun was discovered in a pillowcase on a bed in an Airbnb where one of the suspects, Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, had been staying. Padron admitted to handling the gun and leaving it at the Airbnb. The connection to Dorner’s firearm has left officials deeply engaged in determining how a gun linked to a notorious case from over a decade ago ended up in the hands of these suspects.

Christopher Dorner’s gun turns up in robbery of $1 million watch in Beverly Hills, police say https://t.co/oCo3giqVtE

— Daily Breeze (@DailyBreezeNews) August 14, 2024

The Infamous 2013 Rampage

In 2013, Christopher Dorner, an ex-LAPD officer, reportedly went on a killing spree that resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Dorner had posted a manifesto on social media declaring “unconventional and asymmetric warfare” against the LAPD, its families, and associates. He is reported to have demanded the department admit that his termination was retaliatory for his reporting of excessive force by other officers. The alleged killing spree began with the murder of Monica Quan and her fiancé Keith Lawrence on February 3, 2013, and culminated in a standoff with police that ended in his apparent suicide.

Dorner’s gun turning up in the midst of a high-profile robbery involving suspects Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, a 21-year-old Colombian, and Padron has raised numerous questions. These individuals have been charged with felonies connected to the armed robbery at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel’s restaurant patio, where they pointed a gun at a man and stole a $30,000 Rolex and a Patek Philippe watch valued at over $1 million.

A Transnational Robbery Operation

Investigators believe that the suspects were part of a crime tourism group that reputedly lives nomadic lives to avoid arrest by law enforcement. They reportedly reside in Airbnbs and cash-focused motels. Prosecutors have unveiled that Sepulveda and Padron surveilled their victim for two weeks before executing the robbery and fleeing in a blue Toyota Corolla. The suspects are linked to at least two armed robberies within two days and potentially more incidents out-of-state.

With an ongoing investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, authorities are determined to unravel how Dorner’s gun ended up in these suspects’ possession. One former FBI special agent, Bobby Chacon, told reporters that it’s likely the gun was either stolen or sold, meaning it’s possible it has been used by many different people over the years.

The discovery of Dorner’s firearm adds a complex layer to the ongoing investigation. As law enforcement continues to piece together this puzzle, the questions surrounding this significant find are likely to persist.