Minors arrested in stolen handgun case

Three juveniles who allegedly committed a series of vehicle burglaries at Gardnerville Ranches early May 26 were arrested Monday morning.

The 17-year-old man was arrested at Douglas High School and booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of burglary, grand theft of a firearm, illegal sale of a firearm and being a minor is equivalent to possession of a firearm.

The 15-year-old man was arrested at his home and booked into the juvenile detention center for burglary and grand theft of a firearm.

The 14-year-old man was arrested at Pau-Wa-Lu middle school and incarcerated in the detention center for burglary.

A 16-year-old juvenile on parole was arrested Friday evening with a loaded Ruger handgun stolen in vehicle burglaries involving the three other juveniles.

The arrest was the culmination of a two-day investigation that began June 5 when deputies and investigators with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office learned that a 17-year-old Minden resident was actively attempting to sell a Springfield Armory semi-automatic pistol to others. minors.

Investigators contacted the 17-year-old man and recovered the gun. It was determined he received the Springfield Armory pistol from a 16-year-old Gardnerville man.

On Friday, investigators interviewed a 16-year-old Gardnerville resident who admitted to selling the Springfield Armory pistol to the 17-year-old. The 16-year-old Gardnerville resident also admitted that he and another 16-year-old and a 14-year-old (both from Gardnerville) committed numerous vehicle burglaries at Gardnerville ranches.

The 16-year-old admitted the Springfield Armory pistol was stolen from a vehicle during a series of burglaries. The theft of this pistol had not even been reported to the sheriff’s office.

It was determined that the Ruger pistol was sold to a 16-year-old Gardnerville resident who was on juvenile parole for carjacking.

Investigators located the 16-year-old parolee at the Lampe Park carnival Friday evening. He had the loaded Ruger pistol in his pants pocket when he was contacted at the carnival.

The 17-year-old Minden resident was booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and being a minor in possession of a firearm.

Burglary and firearms charges will be filed against the three juveniles who committed the vehicle burglaries in the Ranchos.

The 16-year-old parolee was booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center for parole violation, possession of a stolen firearm, prohibited person in possession of a weapon firearm and being a minor in possession of a firearm.