Two different 19-year-old suspects were arrested at Santa Rosa Junior College in two separate incidents of possessing weapons on campus, just a week after SRJC District Police Chief Matt McCaffrey delivered an Active Shooter seminar.
SRJC police cadets patrolling Burbank Circle behind Pioneer Hall saw an unoccupied vehicle with several weapons visible in the passenger area at 7:16 p.m. on Feb. 13. Officers set up surveillance and arrested Nicholas Dusan Grgich, 19, without incident.
A search of the vehicle revealed three realistic replica pellet handguns, two pellet rifles, three fixed-blade combat knives and a machete with a 27-inch blade. The passenger area held two of the handguns and a rifle, and the trunk held the other handgun and rifle.
Referring to the cadets who spotted the weapons, McCaffrey said, “It goes to show another set of eyes out there can make a difference. If you see something that doesn’t seem right let us know.”
SRJC District Police officer Wright pulled over Christian Eric Candelas-Garcia, 19, for speeding on Armory Drive in front of the SRJC District Police Station at 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 12.
When Candelas-Garcia opened the glove compartment to retrieve his paperwork, officer Wright saw a black handgun inside and initiated a high-risk enforcement stop.
After officer Wright took the suspect into custody, he retrieved the handgun and discovered it to be a pellet gun replica of a Sig Sauer semi automatic pistol. Officer Wright also found a machete with an 18-inch blade.
Both suspects had their bail set at $10,000.
Candelas-Garcia posted bail Feb. 12 and was convicted of driving without a license. He could face up to three years of informal probation and a fine of up to $1000 as per state law. The district attorney did not file a weapons charge against Candelas-Garcia.
Grgich posted bail Feb. 14 and is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 25. He has been charged with possession of a weapon on campus for bringing a “knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches.” Although police found multiple knives in his car, it appears the district attorney’s office only charged him with one count of PC 626.10 (b).
Grgich did not respond to an interview request by press time.
