A police raid on an ex-convict's Southern California home has uncovered a weapon's stockpile, including at least 21 high-powered firearms and body armor.

Los Angeles police Lt. Thomas Zaku says Wednesday's early morning San Fernando Valley raid may have prevented tragedy.

Nearly a dozen officers, serving a weapons search warrant on the Tarzana home, were looking for two shotguns and a handgun that federal records showed were registered to 31-year-old Mike Foreman. It was part of a gang unit probation check.

Instead, the Los Angeles Daily News says officers found at least 21 high-powered firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, body armor and gas masks.

Many of the guns were loaded and some were outfitted with a bayonet and tripod.

Foreman was arrested for investigation of weapons and probation violations.