DES MOINES, Iowa — As part of an ongoing investigation the Des Moines Police Department Crimes Against Persons Section seized three handguns’ following a home invasion on Monday.

According to the Des Moines Police Department, at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday DMPD patrol officers responded to a home in the River Bend neighborhood on reports of a home invasion robbery.

The resident told officers that someone had kicked in the front door, was armed with a handgun, and had fired a shot before taking property from the home and fleeing the scene.

Detectives opened an investigation into the case and served a warrant at the suspects home on Tuesday.

During the search three handguns were recovered. One if these guns was illegally converted to a fully automatic by using a “switch,” according to police.

21-year-old Vontis Kirkwood has been arrested and, according to the Polk County Jail Inmate Roster, is charged with:

• Violation of Probation
• Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons
• Harassment – 1st Degree
• Discharging Firearms
• Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness (No Intent)
• Burglary – 1st Degree
• Robbery – 1st Degree
• Interference with Official Acts

According to DMPD, a “switch” is an illegal after-market attachment that converts semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic firearms. Converting the firearm into an illegal machine gun by federal standards.

Of the almost 600 guns recovered by the DMPD in 2024, police say three were equipped with “switches”.

According to court records, Kirkwood is being held at the Polk County Jail and is held on a $25,000 cash bond.