A 17-year-old boy was arrested last Saturday, October 22, after he dangerously skidded his car inside the Hillsdale Shopping Center and found a firearm inside, said the San Mateo County Police Department -SMPD, for their acronym in English?.
Authorities detailed in a statement that at approximately 10:45 p.m., the SMPD officer heard screeching tires at the Hillsdale shopping center. As the officer got closer to the sound, he observed a large amount of smoke billowing from the upper level of one of the mall parking lots.
When he reached the upper level, the officer discovered the source of the smoke. A 2005 Jaguar was moving in a tight circular motion and emitting smoke from friction. Several people and vehicles were dangerously close to the continuously spinning vehicle.
The officer immediately placed a stop on the vehicle for reckless driving. As the car came to a stop, the officer contacted and identified a 17-year-old male driver and a 17-year-old male passenger.
Officers conducted an inventory search prior to impounding the Jaguar and discovered a red shoulder bag on the driver's side containing a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol with an extended magazine and an extra magazine.
Through an on-scene investigation, officers learned that the gun had been stolen, but it had not been reported. Because a firearm was located in the vehicle, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located marijuana joints and a loose bag of cannabis.
The young driver was arrested and transported to Hillcrest Juvenile Hall and booked on multiple charges.
SMPD reminded residents that "If you see something, say something," while encouraging the community to use security cameras. “They are especially useful for identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when the cameras are facing the street. Our officers request surveillance on a regular basis and you can help us by notifying SMPD where the cameras are located in your neighborhood at www.cityofsanmateo.org/Nest", he said.
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