Large Cache Of Illegal Weapons And Explosives Found At Rio Linda Home
LINDA (CBS13) - Detectives are investigating why local man had a large stockpile of illegal weapons and explosives at his Rio Linda home.
Late Thursday night, Placer County Sheriff's deputies pulled over Andreas H. Koertel, 46, of Sacramento in a traffic stop. Deputies found Koertel in possession of meth and illegal weapons, according to Dena Erwin, a Placer County Sheriff's Office public information officer. He was booked into jail on multiple charges.
Placer County Sheriff's Office officials passed their information about Koertel on to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department suspecting illegal weapons could be at the home, which is located in the 5800 block of 24th Street in Rio Linda.
When they arrived at the home, detectives were let inside by the homeowner, who is a German citizen. Over the next five hours, they allegedly found a cache of weapons including four assault-type rifles equipped with silencers, 20 high-capacity magazines, between 20,000-30,000 rounds of ammunition, including tracer rounds, several jars of black powder, a pipe bomb, Tannerite explosive, and cricket bombs. Detectives also found over $33,000 in cash.
One of the most troubling discoveries, sheriff's Sgt. Jason Ramos says, was a cell phone converted into a remote detonation device.
Sheriff's and FBI bomb squads detonated the Tannerite and cricket bombs on the property.
Investigators believe the weapons belong to the man who is now in custody at the Placer County Jail. An investigation has been launched into the motive behind the cache, which will factor into which criminal charges the man will face.
Deputies have not said how Koertel is linked to the other suspect.
Two families live on the property, including multiple children under the age of 10.
Neighbors say Koertel lives in Roseville and used to fire his guns at all time of the day and night.
