Morgan Hill Police arrested a 16-year-old Morgan Hill resident on W. Main Avenue after he dropped a stolen handgun during a foot pursuit on Friday afternoon.
On February 15, 2013, at approximately 4 pm Morgan Hill Police Cpl. Scott Purvis and Officer Santiago Fierro conducted a vehicle enforcement stop on Wright Avenue near Del Monte Lane, according to police. Two passengers fled from the vehicle after providing false information to the investigating officers. One of the suspects, a 16-year-old Morgan Hill resident was quickly apprehended for providing false identification to a police officer and resisting arrest. He was booked at MHPD and later released on a citation to his legal guardian.
The other suspect continued to run and dropped a fixed blade knife and then 50 yards later dropped a .40-caliber handgun on the grounds of a private school in the area, police said. The suspect was identified at the scene and initially eluded officers. However, he was apprehended two days later at a residence in the 100 block of W. Main Avenue. The suspect was booked into Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of a probation violation, possession of a loaded stolen firearm, possession of a firearm on school grounds, possession of a dirk or dagger, and resisting arrest. The gun was reported stolen from a burglary in Gilroy.
Both suspects are affiliated with the Norteno criminal street gang and gang enhancements are being sought against the suspect who possessed the stolen handgun and knife, police said. Authorities are not releasing the suspects’ names or photographs due to their age.
Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing commented on the efforts of his staff to apprehend the suspect. “This is a perfect example of the proactive nature of our department,” Swing said. “This case began with a street level contact then grew into a significant response once the suspect pitched the gun. Our staff continued to work diligently to find where he was hiding and bring him safely into custody, ensuring everyone’s safety –ours, his and the community’s.”
Swing added, MHPD is “committed to doing everything we can to eradicate all incidents of gang crime in Morgan Hill.”
