California DOJ Bureau of Firearms special agents serve search warrant at Simi Valley house
“This is a significant bust with more than 125 firearms and lots of ammunition seized. It demonstrates the commitment and the lengths travelled by California law enforcement to keep our neighborhoods, communities and state, safe. We are thankful no one was hurt during the service of the search warrants and thank the law enforcement officers for their service to public safety.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
VENTURA COUNTY – On November 21, 2025 the Ventura county Sheriff’s Office announced the November 4th arrest of Luke Bancroft, 45, of Simi Valley.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Bancroft was arrested following an investigation involving the unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm and possession of several illegal firearms. The investigation led to the seizure of more than 125 firearms, including 14 firearms that qualify as assault weapons in California, a short-barreled shotgun, and firearm suppressors. Detectives also found evidence of possession of a controlled substance.
During the fall of 2024, Sheriff Office detectives began to investigate Bancroft for possibly purchasing weapons out of state and importing them into California. Detectives gathered evidence in their investigation, leading them to obtain a search warrant for Bancroft, his vehicles, and his residence located in the 1800 block of Wallace Street in Simi Valley.
On November 4, 2025, detectives conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle being driven by Bancroft in the city of Simi Valley. Bancroft was detained pursuant to the search warrant, and two loaded pistols were recovered inside the vehicle. Neither pistol had been registered in the State of California, and Bancroft did not hold a concealed weapons permit in California.
Following the traffic enforcement stop, special agents from the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms, served a search warrant at Bancroft’s residence. During the search, the special agents, detectives, and ATF law enforcement officers, found over 100,000 rounds of ammunition, which were seized, along with the more than 125 firearms, dozens of which had not been registered in California, two firearm suppressors, psilocybin mushrooms, hundreds of firearm magazines, and evidence showing Bancroft had purchased firearms and ammunition out of state to try to avoid or bypass California firearm laws.
Bancroft was arrested, booked, later posted bail, and was released from custody. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed 14 counts of possession of an assault weapon, 2 counts of possession of a silencer, 2 counts of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, 1 count of possession of a short-barreled rifle, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
The departments that led and/or assisted with this investigation are:
- VCSO Gun Violence Reduction Program,
- California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms
- Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,
Moorpark Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms
