Five Charged In SWAT Training Facility Burglary

Prosecutors have charged five men allegedly found last week possessing weapons allegedly stolen from a Los Angels Police Department SWAT training facility.

William Vasquez, 28, was charged with one count of unlawful assault weapon activity and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. His brother, Hector Gerardo Vasquez, 24, and another man, Mauricio Alberto Hernandez, 31, have both been charged with one count of possession of a machine gun.

The Vasquez brothers pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday and are due back in court Nov. 10.

They are still in custody at a Los Angeles County jail facility. Bail was set at $120,000 for William Vasquez and $20,000 for Hector Vasquez.

Hernandez posted bail before prosecutors filed charges against him and remains free. He is due in court Nov. 30 to be arraigned on the charges against him.

William Vasquez was convicted in May 2009 of receiving stolen property, according to charging documents filed by prsoecutors. He was also convicted in March 2000 -- when he was a minor -- of lewd acts on a child under 14.

He faces a maximum of 17 years in state prison if convicted of the charges against him, prosecutors said. Hector Vasquez and Hernandez face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Two other men -- Richard Velasco, 29, and Gilbert Salcedo, 41 -- were charged Monday in connection with the theft. Both men were charged with one count each of grand theft firearm, second-degree commercial burglary, unlawful weapon activity and possession of a machine gun.

If you or someone you know has been charged with grand theft or burglary, the most important thing you can do is hire a criminl defense lawyer. Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Helfend has over 20 years of experience and the resources to help. Contact his law office today.