Bay Area man arrested, guns seized following online threats

(KRON) — A 27-year-old man from Millbrae was arrested and five guns were seized from his home Thursday after he made threats on the internet, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said.

The suspect, Anthony Roberts, was “sending messages raising concerns about violence toward others or potential self-harm,” the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said. “In the messages, the suspect also admitted to discharging a firearm inside his apartment building and included a photo of a bullet hole in an interior wall.”

Based on the online threats, authorities obtained an arrest warrant, a gun violence restraining order, and a search warrant for Robert’s apartment on the 100 block of Rollins Road in Millbrae. Inside Roberts’ apartment, authorities allegedly seized five guns, including an illegal assault rifle, tactical gear, high-capacity magazines and ammunition. Suspected fentanyl pills and bullet holes were also found.

“Sheriff’s deputies also located recently patched holes in the walls of the apartment, consistent with the bullet holes seen in online messages,” the sheriff’s office said.

Roberts surrendered to deputies outside his apartment building and was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for drug and gun charges.

“The sheriff’s office is grateful to the patrol deputies, specialty units and mental health professionals for their effective coordination on this case,” the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said. “Their efforts ensured a potentially dangerous situation was resolved safely.”