Deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged a 16-year-old suspect with attempting to elude and unlawful firearm possession after a traffic enforcement emphasis was conducted in the Hazel Dell area.
On Aug. 10, a deputy observed a sedan and made attempts to stop the vehicle for an equipment violation, stated a news release.
“The vehicle failed to comply with the traffic stop and made attempts to accelerate away. Soon after, the vehicle abruptly stopped, and the driver fled from the vehicle,” stated the release. “The deputy observed the driver in possession of a handgun and observed the driver place the firearm in his waistband while sprinting from the vehicle.”
During the incident, multiple other suspects also fled on foot from the vehicle.
Another deputy observed the driver and engaged with him a short distance from the vehicle, stated the release. The suspect complied with instructions from the arresting deputy and was found to no longer be in possession of the firearm.
The handgun was later located with a 30-round extended magazine after an extensive search of the area was conducted with the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department K-9, stated the release.
The release stated that although further analysis will be conducted, the firearm appeared to be illegally modified to be fully automatic.
The 16-year-old suspect, who was not identified, was booked into the Clark County Juvenile Justice Center.
On Aug. 16, the suspect’s vehicle was searched after a court authorized search warrant was granted. The search turned up ballistic body armor and two additional handguns that had been reported stolen. The items were seized. One of the firearms was reportedly stolen from a federal law enforcement agency, stated the release.
The investigation remains active.
