EVERETT — Police stopped the car March 7 because the windshield was too dark, a violation of the law.
Officers said they could smell marijuana coming from the car when the doors were opened. The passenger, 15, told police he was selling the driver, 18, marijuana.
The teens were released without arrest, but officers seized the car. They obtained a warrant to search the Toyota Corolla.
Inside, they found marijuana and two loaded guns, according to court papers. The 15-year-old is an active gang member, according to police. His north Everett house has been the target of two separate drive-by shootings. He also is a suspect in two recent gang shootings, according to Everett police.
The Daily Herald is not naming the boy because he is a juvenile.
There was probable cause to arrest the boy, now 16, for slinging marijuana and unlawful gun possession. Everett police’s Anti-Crime Team, which has been targeting gang crimes, conducted surveillance on the boy’s house multiple times but he wasn’t located.
Late last month, the team along with a federal agent and an officer with the state Department of Corrections, were searching for the boy again. He and his girlfriend arrived in the Corolla at his house.
The teen refused to exit the car and officers were unable to see what he was doing because of the darkened windshield. He finally got out of the car and officers could smell marijuana, according to court papers. The teen started yelling at police. “You need a warrant to arrest me,” he reportedly shouted.
Officers booked him into the Denney Juvenile Justice Center for the March 7 incident. They also obtained another warrant to search the Corolla and reportedly found another loaded handgun with a second magazine. There also was marijuana in the car, along with a digital scale, according to the police affidavit.
Prosecutors last week charged the boy with gun and drug crimes from both incidents.
On Tuesday, Everett police were called to the juvenile detention center after the teen reportedly spit on a custody officer and threatened to shoot the man in the head. The teen had flooded his cell by plugging the toilet and sink. He also urinated on the cell door.
Everett police have investigated 37 separate shootings since early December. Many are believed to be gang related.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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