Two men have reportedly been arrested in connection with a burglary involving two stolen firearms at California Democratic Representative Karen Bass’ home on Wednesday, Fox News reported.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced the burglary in a press statement after the occurrence on Sept. 10. On Wednesday, the statement was updated to include the suspects names, Patricio Munoz, 42, and Juan Espinoza, 24. Detectives saw the suspects entering a vehicle at the time of the burglary outside of the California representative’s home on Saturday, according to Fox. LAPD did not name Bass as a victim of a crime in the report, according to the statement.
“Last night, I came home and discovered that my house had been broken into and burglarized,” Bass said, according to The Hill. “LAPD was called, and I appreciate their assistance. At this time, it appears that only two firearms, despite being safely and securely stored, were stolen. Cash, electronics and other valuables were not. It’s unnerving and, unfortunately, it’s something that far too many Angelenos have faced.”
LA mayoral candidate and Congresswoman Karen Bass revealed two people who broke into her home and stole her guns have been arrested. https://t.co/QVY9liTCBs
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) September 15, 2022
The California representative is currently running against fellow Democratic challenger, and former president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, Rick Caruso in the nonpartisan general runoff election for Mayor of Los Angeles this November to replace Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is unable to run for the office again due to term limits.
Bass has been involved in politics professionally since 2005 when she was elected to serve in California’s State Assembly, where she served until 2010. She went on to serve as Speaker of the California Assembly in 2008 and was elected into the United States House of Representatives in 2011 serving California’s 33rd Congressional District.
Crime has become a focus of the upcoming mayoral election this November with shootings reportedly up 69% from 2020. Since last year, violent crime has risen 7.2%, robberies increased by 18.5% and car thefts are up by 40%, according to Fox. In a mayoral debate earlier this year, Bass claimed her safety rating in Los Angeles was a “10 out of 10.”
The mayoral candidate has previously expressed support for gun control measures and included her crime-prevention policy on her campaign’s website which states, “We need immediate interventions and sustainable solutions to address gun violence.”
“Bass will fund programs for Angelenos who are at serious risk of being either the perpetrator or victim of gun violence, provide non-law enforcement-led services – including job training and placement assistance, education and assistance covering basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation,” her website said.
Bass previously had voted in 2021 in favor of bills H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 which together seek mandatory background checks for all firearm purchases to ensure persons previously prohibited from purchasing a firearm are unable to do so along with persons considered a danger to themselves. “The Charleston Loophole,” which allows a firearm sale if a background check has not been completed within three days, was also included in the legislation. Both bills passed through the House, but have not been brought before the Senate for a vote.
