Sacramento Police Seize Cache Of Weapons Hidden Behind False Wall

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Neighborhood Watch sign is posted in the front window to ward off criminals, but police say it was the people inside this Colonial Heights home who were breaking the law by stashing away a cache of deadly weapons.

Among the 16 guns police found when they searched the home Wednesday were a loaded AK-22, a Tech-9 pistol, a sawed-off shotgun, a mobster-era tommy gun, eight handguns, two grenades and a spent rocket launcher used by the military to take out tanks.

"You put it on your shoulder, blast goes out the back, and go on with your day," Sacramento Police Sgt. Paul Freeman said. "I've been on the streets 23 years and this is the first time I've seen one of these outside of a MacGyver episode or something."

But this was no make believe. After getting a tip about possible illegal activity at the 54th street home, police found weapons in room after room, including a secret room apparently built to hide the guns.

"A couple of them were hidden behind a false wall, in a child's bedroom," Freeman said.

Sydney Whitaker, 47, who is listened as living at the home, was arrested for stolen and illegal weapons possession.

"Seriously? Wow, that's too close, too close to home," a neighbor said. "Oh man, they have kids too."

Neighbors are rattled but not surprised. Police say there have been several complaints by neighbors about activity at the home. Some say they've even been threatened by the homes occupants.

CBS13 tried to reach out to Whitaker, who's since bailed out of jail, but she did not want to talk.

Freeman said the investigation is ongoing and he anticipates additional arrests.