Teen boy caught with a gun and drugs in Santa Cruz

A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody in Santa Cruz after being caught with a gun and drugs.

According to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, officers were patrolling the Beach Flats neighborhood on Saturday afternoon when they saw the teen run across the street in front of them on Park Place. Officers quickly stopped to avoid hitting the teen and tried to contact him, but he ran away. Officers then chased after the boy and he threw a backpack.

They found the teen about two blocks away along with a .25 caliber firearm and more than an ounce of marijuana in the backpack. They also found evidence of the teen being involved in a gang.

The teen was housed at Juvenile Probation and is facing several charges including possession of a concealed firearm and participation in a criminal street gang. There is no record association to the gun.

If you have any information in this case or any other gang-related case contact the SCCACT office at (831) 454-2320.