A 17-year-old male from Lexington Park was arrested Tuesday evening following a vehicle pursuit in California during which St. Mary’s County deputies recovered two loaded firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun with an altered serial number.
The incident began at approximately 9:38 p.m. on May 5 when a deputy observed a Mitsubishi Mirage cross the double yellow center lines while traveling southbound on Route 4 near Kingston Creek Road. The vehicle then entered the parking lot of a closed business in the Laurel Glen Shopping Center, where deputies observed what appeared to be a suspected drug transaction.
When deputies attempted to contact the occupants, the vehicle fled. The front-seat passenger moved into the driver’s seat and led officers on a pursuit. The suspect failed to stop at multiple stop signs, drove at high speed through the Hickory Hills Shopping Center, and crashed through plastic barricades near citizens who were present. No injuries were reported.
The pursuit continued onto Chancellor’s Run Road, where the vehicle lost control and crashed at the intersection of Military Lane. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
A search of the vehicle revealed an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle loaded with 30 rounds on the floorboard and a Taurus 9mm handgun with one round in the chamber and 11 in the magazine. The handgun’s serial number had been altered.
The juvenile was charged as an adult with multiple offenses, including several counts related to the illegal transportation and possession of handguns and regulated firearms while under 21, obliteration of a firearm’s identification mark, motor vehicle theft, and theft valued between $1,500 and $25,000. He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center on a no-bond status.
Detective Michael Labanowski of the Criminal Investigations Division is the lead investigator. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional traffic-related charges are anticipated.
Route 4 is one of the main north-south corridors in St. Mary’s County, connecting Lexington Park and California with high volumes of commuter and local traffic. Sheriff’s Office officials have increased patrols in shopping centers and residential areas in response to recent concerns about juvenile crime and illegal firearms in the tri-county region.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Labanowski at 301-475-4200, ext. 8033 or Michael.Labanowski@stmaryscountymd.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Solvers.
