2 Teens Arrested For Lynnwood Gun Shop Theft: Police

LYNNWOOD, WA - Two 16-year-old boys were arrested Sunday afternoon for allegedly stealing three handguns from a Lynnwood gun store, according to Lynnwood police Commander Sean Doty. All three guns were recovered following the boys' arrests.

The theft reportedly occurred around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Lynnwood Gun and Ammunition, located at 20829 Pacific Highway.

According to Doty, the two boys entered the store while the shop's employees were helping other customers. Standing near the front counter, the boys were captured on video surveillance reaching behind the display case, grabbing three guns, and fleeing on foot.

One of the store's employees chased the boys down the street, confronting them a short distance from the store. The boys reportedly dropped the stolen guns and kept running.

Police from Lynnwood, Everett and Edmonds all provided help searching for the boys, though it was ultimately a passerby who pointed the officers toward a dumpster behind a nearby business where he saw two suspicious people attempting to hide.

When officers caught up to the pair, the boys were reportedly trying to change their clothes. Both were arrested without further incident, Doty said. Pending charges reportedly include theft of a firearm, as well as both possession and unlawful possession of stolen firearms.

After the boys' arrest police learned the pair had previous arrest records related to assault, robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Police detained two other people who were reportedly associated with the 16-year-old boys, but they were released pending further investigation, Doty said.

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Images via Lynnwood Police Department