In a recent encounter that escalated beyond a casual check, San Mateo Police detained a 17-year-old from South San Francisco for gun and drug offenses. According to the San Mateo Police Department's social media post, at around 6:09 PM on Sunday, officers approached a group that included the juvenile and an adult on the 400 block of Rogell Avenue.
During the interaction, police found loose marijuana in plain view within a vehicle linked to the juvenile. The discovery, compounded with the strong scent of marijuana surrounding the scene, prompted a thorough search of the car. Officers quickly uncovered more than just cannabis; two pistols, one concealed and unregistered, the other stolen, were found alongside packaging materials, a digital scale, and over six hundred dollars in cash.
The juvenile was booked for possession of a loaded, concealed firearm and possession of marijuana intended to be sold, as he was transported to Hillcrest Juvenile Hall. The money uncovered at the scene was seized and tagged for asset forfeiture to deter further illegal actions.
In the aftermath of the arrest, the police have called upon community members to maintain vigilance and not to hesitate to report crimes or suspicious behavior. "We ask our community members to stay alert. We need community support in reporting crimes and suspicious activities. If you see a suspicious person, vehicle, or activity, call SMPD. Trust your instincts. See Something, Say Something," the San Mateo Police Department urged.
