STAMFORD, CT — A 16-year-old Stamford boy was arrested Wednesday night after police said he was found in possession of a loaded stolen gun, a stolen scooter, and over 30 grams of marijuana.
The boy's name was not released due to his age. He was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle; possession of a firearm without a pistol permit; possession of a high-capacity magazine; theft of a firearm; interfering with police; possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana with intent to sell; and operating a drug factory.
Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch that police were getting "numerous" calls at around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday about five or six people on scooters driving recklessly around the city, shouting and cursing at others.
The Stamford Police Department's Fusion Center, which Conklin says "are the eyes and ears to our officers out in the street," tracked the scooters, which were parked and left unattended in an area in the 30 block of Bedford Street.
Patrol officers responded and came across a group of youths at the location of the scooters, Conklin said. Officers searched the VIN number of one of the scooters and found it came back stolen out of New York.
A 16-year-old boy took ownership of the scooter, and he was placed under arrest, Conklin said, noting the boy began to struggle with officers.
Police felt the boy's chest pocket and discovered a loaded H&K handgun with a high-capacity magazine, Conklin said. The gun was reported stolen out of New Haven.
A search of the boy's backpack found 31 grams of marijuana, numerous THC edible products and an electronic scale, Conklin added.
The arrestee was already on juvenile probation, and he was taken and remanded to custody at the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center, Conklin said.
Conklin praised the officers involved, notably the department's Fusion Center, which often utilizes drones and cameras to provide real-time information to responding officers on a call.
The arrest also illustrated the issues many police departments are having with electric or gasoline-powered scooters.
"We're having problems with these scooters being operated in a very reckless and dangerous manner," Conklin said.
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