2 were arrested after illegal firearms were found in an Encinitas apartment

Posted: January 19, 2023 / 06:57 PM PST

Updated: January 19, 2023 / 07:09 PM PST

ENCINITAS, Calif. — Two roommates suspected of having several illegal firearms in their North County home were arrested Thursday, authorities said.

The incident happened on January 9 around 11 a.m. in Encinitas when deputies responded to a radio call of a man reporting that several deceased people had been found in his apartment, Lt. Christopher Lawrence with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release. Deputies contacted apartment resident Ryan Lander, 25, and conducted a welfare check, but deputies found no one inside — instead they discovered multiple illegal firearms in plain sight.

Authorities then obtained a search warrant, seizing 28 firearms (some of which were found to be illegal), four firearm suppressors, metal knuckles, body armor, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Lawrence.

Lander was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of being under the influence of narcotics and possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm silencer.

The recovered firearms were also found to belong to Lander’s roommate, Luc Suter, 32, the sheriff’s official said. Suter was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of possession of methamphetamines, possession of a narcotic addict in possession of a firearm, possession of an illegal firearm, possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 858-565-5200.