Simi Valley Man Arrested After Allegedly Carrying BB Rifle To Church Meeting

SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A Simi Valley man was arrested Tuesday after he was allegedly seen carrying a BB rifle to a church meeting, police said.

Officers responded to a report around 7:37 a.m. of an man armed with a weapon at a meeting at the Victory Outreach Church located at 1482 Sinaloa Road, according to a Simi Valley Police Department spokesperson.

Upon their arrival, officers saw a man riding a bike near Sinaloa and Vorale Avenue, police said. He was detained and found to have a BB rifle in his possession, according to police.

Following an investigation, officers arrested Angel Cruz, 24, on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to police.

While carrying a BB rifle is not illegal, police say Cruz's decision to carry the weapon was "very unwise for obvious reasons."

Cruz did not threaten anyone or "brandish" the weapon at anyone, which would have constituted a violation of California law, police said.

The BB rifle was confiscated and booked into the Simi Valley Police Department Property Room, according to police.

The arrest caused a stir with parents and students at nearby Sinaloa Middle School at 601 Royal Avenue, but police say they were never in any danger.