Felon With Loaded Semi-Automatic Handgun Arrested in Benicia Tuesday

Benicia Police arrested an ex-felon in possession of a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun on Tuesday.  

The department had learned that 33-year-old Michael Horne was staying at a residence on the 200 block of Baker Street. Horne has an outstanding no-bail misdemeanor warrant for DUI from Contra Costa County. 

"As two BPD officers contacted the resident, the wanted male suspect fled out a backdoor," said Benicia Police in a release. "Officers at the front door relayed this information to other officers who were waiting in the backyard."

Here's how it played out from there, according to the department: 

Upon seeing the police officers, this subject immediately surrendered by lying down on the ground.  While taking him into custody, he admitted to being armed with a firearm.  In his waistband, police located a 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a loaded 30 round high capacity magazine.  The firearm had a round chambered.

Horne has several prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm.

Lt. Frank Hartig said “we are very fortunate that this incident concluded with the suspect surrendering and complying with the officer’s orders. The officers confronted an armed suspect, with a prior history of violence and weapons convictions, in a dark backyard.  The professionalism and training of these officers prevented this situation from turning out with negative results.”

Here are the charges: 

• Ex-Felon Possess Firearm (F)
• Felon w/prior conviction for possession of firearm (F)
• Possess Concealed Firearm (F)
• Possess High Capacity Magazine (M)
• Misdemeanor DUI Warrant – Contra Costa County