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tom.powell@wreg.com
twitter.com/tompowell3
(WEST MEMPHIS) -- A West Memphis Police officer came across two similar cases in just two days. Both cases involved the city's new replica firearms ordinance.
The first happened last Wednesday when officers received a call about an armed robbery. Police say a 15-year-old pulled a gun on a 12-year-old, and robbed the 12-year-old of his bicycle.
When the officer confronted the suspect he realized he had a BB gun that strongly resembled a real pistol.
The second case happened last Thursday, when the same officer responded to a call about two youngsters playing with guns at Grimsley Park. Police say when the officer tracked the suspects down, one of the suspects reached for the weapon. The officer pulled his gun, and told the suspects to get on the ground. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
Police say both suspects, one 12-years-old and the other 14-years-old, were carrying BB guns that looked more like real guns.
Those two suspects, along with the 15-year-old in the first case, were all charged with violating the city's ordinance outlawing replica firearms in public places.
West Memphis Assistant Police Chief Mike Allen has applauded city leaders for passing the ordinance. Now he says the department is working with faith based organizations. They plan to have officers talk to groups of teens about the dangers of replica firearms.
- Police charge three youngsters
- All for violating city's replica firearms ordinance
- Suspects range in age from 12-15
tom.powell@wreg.com
twitter.com/tompowell3
(WEST MEMPHIS) -- A West Memphis Police officer came across two similar cases in just two days. Both cases involved the city's new replica firearms ordinance.
The first happened last Wednesday when officers received a call about an armed robbery. Police say a 15-year-old pulled a gun on a 12-year-old, and robbed the 12-year-old of his bicycle.
When the officer confronted the suspect he realized he had a BB gun that strongly resembled a real pistol.
The second case happened last Thursday, when the same officer responded to a call about two youngsters playing with guns at Grimsley Park. Police say when the officer tracked the suspects down, one of the suspects reached for the weapon. The officer pulled his gun, and told the suspects to get on the ground. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
Police say both suspects, one 12-years-old and the other 14-years-old, were carrying BB guns that looked more like real guns.
Those two suspects, along with the 15-year-old in the first case, were all charged with violating the city's ordinance outlawing replica firearms in public places.
West Memphis Assistant Police Chief Mike Allen has applauded city leaders for passing the ordinance. Now he says the department is working with faith based organizations. They plan to have officers talk to groups of teens about the dangers of replica firearms.
