3 Teens Arrested With Handguns In Wesley Chapel Publix

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Three Pinellas County teenagers were arrested in a Wesley Chapel Publix Tuesday after deputies said they brought guns into the grocery store.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office said a Snapchat video that was posted showed a 15-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys in the Publix bathroom racking the slides of the firearms. A Pinellas County detective spotted the Snapchat video and alerted the Pasco County Sheriff's office.

Deputies were called to the Publix at 5400 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. around 5 p.m. Oct. 15. A Publix deli manager directed deputies to the teens who were walking through the dairy section of the store. Deputies approached the teens with guns drawn.

"I think they were just as shocked to see us as we were to see them when we came around the corner," said Sgt. Andy Denbo.

One 16-year-old had a Sig Sauer P228 handgun in his shorts. The other 16-year-old had a Sig Sauer P238 handgun tucked in his waistband and concealed beneath a jacket he was wearing.

The Sig Sauer P238 and a driver's license, credit cards and a passport had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle in Wesley Chapel earlier that day. Deputies believe the teen also stole a gun from a vehicle in Saddlebrook.

The 15-year-old had a backpack containing a round of ammunition. Deputies also found Halloween masks that completely covered the face and a ski mask in the teens' backpacks.

Denbo said the teens refused to explain what their intentions were in bringing the guns into the store.

"They weren't a talkative bunch," he said."It's anyone's imagination what they were going to do."

The 16-year-old with the handgun in his shorts has prior convictions for battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft and grand theft motor vehicle. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm and delinquent in possession of a firearm.

The 15-year-old has a conviction for aggravated assault charge with a firearm. He was charged with delinquent in possession of ammunition, resisting an officer and obstructing without violence.

The third teen was charged with two counts of auto burglary, theft of a firearm, theft of a credit card, delinquent in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm.

"We believe that most juveniles deserve a second change but these juvenile are career criminals," said Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Patch has a policy against releasing the names of juveniles accused of crimes.