July 3, 2024 – San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials report that two juveniles are facing firearms-related charges following a traffic stop in San Marcos.

It happened on Monday, July 1 just after 8:30 p.m. near Pico and Richmar Avenues.

Deputies with the San Marcos Sheriff's Station pulled over an SUV for a moving violation.

Two teenage boys inside the SUV took off running but were eventually detained. A Sheriff's K-9 located two guns that were thrown by each juvenile as they ran away. One firearm turned out to be a privately manufactured weapon, also commonly known as a ghost gun. The second firearm was not registered.

Unlike weapons made by a licensed manufacturer, ghost guns don't have a serial number or other identifiable markings. The lack of a serial number makes it extremely challenging for law enforcement agencies to track these firearms to their owner or maker, hindering or delaying investigations and crime-solving efforts.

Both juveniles are 17 years old. They were booked at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility on felony charges of carrying a loaded gun in a public place or public street and owning or possessing a gun without a serial number.

It is the policy of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department not to release identifying information about minor suspects. The investigation is ongoing and this is all the information that can be released at this time.

Source & photos: San Diego County Sheriff's Department