A county sheriff’s helicopter located the men walking near a creek with backpacks “and other items”, The Los Angeles Times reported.,/I>
Officials say the men were cooperative as they were detained and searched.
Several handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun were found at the scene, but a records check found all the weapons were registered with the exception of the rifle, which reportedly didn’t have a serial number because it was purchased in parts, an FBI spokesperson told The Times.
“They were up all night chanting ‘Allah akbar’-type stuff,” an unidentified officer is heard saying on the audio recording.
All 17 men were eventually released because Sheriff’s investigators say they had no outstanding warrants or criminal histories.
“There was no evidence found that a crime had been committed by any of the subjects who were detained and they were released,” a Sheriff’s spokesperson said.
““There was no evidence found that a crime had been committed by any of the subjects who were detained and they were released,” a Sheriff’s spokesperson said.”
But you can bet they all are now on a “watch list,” that is , if they weren’t already!