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4 people arrested with cache of weapons at hotel near MLB All-Star game

DENVER — A tip from a hotel housekeeper led to the arrest of four people who authorities feared could have been plotting a mass shooting-type event, investigators said.

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A housekeeper at the Maven Hotel saw a cache of weapons and ammunition in a room and called authorities, KOAA reported.

Investigators seized 16 long guns, body armor and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from an eighth-floor room that had a balcony overlooking downtown.

The Denver FBI said the incident is not terror-related and there was never a threat to the All-Star game. The All-Star game is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with events and festivities leading up to it.

“We have no reason to believe this incident was connected to terrorism or a threat directed at the All-Star Game,” the agency said. “We are not aware of any threat to the All-Star Game events, venues, players, or the community at this time.”

Investigators said one of the suspects stated on social media that he was recently divorced and planned to “go out in a big way,” KOAA reported.

Four people were taken into custody and two vehicles were impounded, KOAA reported.

Richard Platt, 42, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and a warrant from another jurisdiction.

Gabriel Rodriguez, 48, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Ricardo Rodriguez, 44, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

Kanoelehua Serikawa, 43, was arrested and charged with intent to distribute and a warrant from another jurisdiction.

“The investigation and arrests were the result of a tip from the public, serving as an excellent example of the critical role the community plays in public safety,” the Denver Police Department said in a statement. “DPD encourages residents and visitors to always be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious or illegal activity to police immediately.”

Hotel officials were grateful for the employee’s actions.

“We are incredibly proud that our team swiftly alerted the authorities in this instance,” the hotel said in a statement. “We are thankful to DPD for their quick action to safely resolve this situation and will continue to work closely with them to support their investigation.”

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