Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

September 29, 2009

Teen who allegedly stole handgun arrested

FROM STAFF REPORTS

KINGSLEY -- Deputies arrested a homeless teenager after he allegedly was caught carrying a stolen handgun in an area recently plagued by break-ins.

A Grand Traverse County sheriff's deputy was on foot patrol Sept. 25 in a Kingsley Trailer Park when he saw a 17-year-old male whom he knew from prior contacts. The deputy questioned the teen and allegedly discovered a handgun tucked in his pants waistband. Sheriff's Lt. Bryan Marrow said the gun was loaded and had been stolen from Ace Buyers in Traverse City on Sept. 16.

Marrow said the deputy stopped the teen to talk to him about the recent rash of burglaries and because he matched a description from a Sept. 17 break-in that prompted the foot patrol.

A homeowner awoke on Sept. 17 to find a man crawling in through his trailer window. The man and an accomplice fled and when the homeowner gave chase, one of the men allegedly pointed a handgun at the homeowner.

"It's not everyday that someone breaks into a trailer and when the homeowner gives chase he has a handgun pointed at him," Marrow said. "That was significant."

Marrow said the teenager was arrested for possession of the stolen handgun and lodged in the county jail. The burglaries investigation continues.

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