Police arrest teens, seize seven guns

Police seized seven guns when three juveniles were arrested Tuesday following a residential burglary.

A 14-year-old and two 15-year-old boys are charged with a combined 12 felonies, authorities said. The teens were booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said officers are concerned about what would prompt the teens to steal guns. “Why did they even need them? It’s scary to think,” DeRuwe said.

“We were fortunate that citizens were aware of their surroundings … and were able to help police so we could solve this case so quickly,” she said.

Spokane police determined the 14-year-old burglarized a neighbor’s home Tuesday, said Officer Brian Eckersley. He then allegedly elicited help from the 15-year-olds to conceal the weapons at two locations.

Witnesses reported seeing one boy enter a home in the 5200 block of North Monroe Street while carrying a shotgun, Eckersley said. That’s how officers first learned of the burglary.

After police arrived, there was a short standoff.

A shotgun and a rifle were found in that residence, Eckersley said. Four handguns and ammunition were found in a house in the 1100 block of West Nebraska Avenue. A second shotgun was found in the alley behind the house.