A 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody after a report that he allegedly pointed a laser at passing vehicles and pedestrians led police to find multiple firearms in his home.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. Sunday, officers with the Santa Maria Police Department responded to the 300 block of Lolita Lane, Lt. Daniel Rios said.

Police initially responded to a report of a laser being pointed at passing vehicles and pedestrians.

During the investigation, officers contacted a 17-year-old male in the area who was on probation for prior weapons violations. 

“A subsequent search of the juvenile’s residence resulted in the recovery of two loaded handguns, three loaded AR-15 style assault rifles, multiple high-capacity magazines, and ammunition,” Rios said. 

Santa Maria police found multiple firearms and ammunition in the house of a 17-year-old boy on probation for prior weapons violations.
Santa Maria police found multiple firearms and ammunition in the house of a 17-year-old boy on probation for prior weapons violations. Credit: Santa Maria Police Department photo

The firearms were seized and included serialized, unserialized and defaced (altered serial number) weapons.

The juvenile was arrested for multiple weapons violations and booked into Juvenile Hall.

The arrest came a day after police arrested a 22-year-old man in a different case and discovered “a stockpile of weapons and a large quantity of ammunition.”

The Santa Maria Police Department encourages anyone with information related to illegal firearm activity or other crime tips to contact the SMPD Communications Center at 805.928.3781 x2277, or provide information anonymously by calling the SMPD Tip Line at 805.928.3781 x2677 (COPS).

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.