SAN MATEO, CA — A 14-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday after fleeing from San Mateo police officers at a city park and surrendering during a brief foot pursuit, leading officers to discover a loaded, unserialized handgun in his waistband, police said.
Officers were patrolling Los Prados Park around 10:07 p.m. on Tuesday when they encountered six people near the Casa de Campo parking lot after the park had closed, according to the San Mateo Police Department.
As officers approached, the teen, who was wearing a full face covering, grabbed his waistband and ran south toward Casa de Campo, police said. After a pursuit of about 50 yards, he stopped and surrendered.
Officers noticed the teen repeatedly reaching toward his waistband and determined he was trying to secure a firearm that had been slipping down his pants as he ran, police said.
A search revealed a loaded 9mm handgun without a serial number, commonly known as a "ghost gun."
The teen, a San Mateo resident, was booked into Hillcrest Juvenile Hall on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm, possessing a handgun and ammunition as a minor, possessing an unserialized firearm, and resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer, police said.
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