Police: Man sent Hallmark cards threats to shoot any minorities who move into neighborhood

A California man is facing felony charges after police say he sent several letters -- disguised in patriotic Hallmark cards -- threatening to shoot any minorities who moved into his neighborhood, authorities said.

Richard Vincent Orcutt, 62, of San Luis Obispo, had the arsenal to carry through on his threats, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Orcutt is charged with three counts of making criminal threats, police officials said. Two of those charges carry a hate crime enhancement.

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Orcutt was arrested June 30 at his home in the 1300 block of Cavalier Lane and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. He was released on $500,000 bond later that day, authorities said.

"As part of their investigation, detectives believe Orcutt sent Hallmark cards depicting the American flag to property management companies, property owners and possibly renters of Cavalier addresses in the city of San Luis Obispo," police officials said in a statement. "These cards had no return name or address and contained threatening language to shoot people of minority descent."

Investigators, along with the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail, went to Orcutt's home June 30 armed with a search warrant. During their search, detectives found and seized handguns, rifles, shotguns, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition, authorities said.

Credit: San Luis Obispo Police Department

Credit: San Luis Obispo Police Department

A photo of the seized weapons shows a dozen handguns and at least 24 long guns.

The investigation into Orcutt’s alleged threats is ongoing.

"Police are asking anyone who received or knows someone who received a suspicious card matching the one in the photograph to contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department," a statement from the department said.

The department can be reached at 805-781-7317.

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