A 17-year-old from Washington, DC, is accused of fleeing from officers and hiding beneath a parked vehicle after police discovered a loaded ghost gun in his satchel.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A teenager from Washington, D.C., has been charged as an adult after Montgomery County police say he fled from officers and was found hiding under a car following the discovery of a loaded ghost gun.
Devonte Carlton Jr., 17, was arrested Friday night during a burglary investigation in the 800 block of Sligo Avenue, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police.
At approximately 8:57 p.m., officers with the Third District Community Action Team were conducting proactive enforcement in the area of Sligo Avenue and Fenton Street when a resident flagged them down.
The resident reported that a group of individuals had entered a construction area inside an apartment building and were also gambling in a stairwell.
When officers responded, they found the group in the stairwell allegedly throwing dice with cash on the ground.
Police said Carlton attempted to grab a satchel as officers approached. An officer secured the bag and immediately recognized that it contained a firearm.
According to investigators, Carlton then ran from the building.
Officers chased him through the neighborhood and ultimately found him hiding underneath a vehicle in a parking lot in the 700 block of Sligo Avenue.
He was taken into custody without further incident.
Police later determined the weapon was a loaded 9 mm privately made firearm, commonly known as a ghost gun.
Investigators said Carlton is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is under the age of 21.
He was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged as an adult with fourth-degree burglary, obstructing and hindering, and multiple firearm-related offenses.
Authorities said Carlton is being held without bond.
The charges are allegations, and Carlton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A 17-year-old from Washington, DC, was charged as an adult after police found a loaded ghost gun.
- Officers say the teen fled and was discovered hiding underneath a parked vehicle.
- The investigation began after a resident reported people inside a construction area and gambling in a stairwell.