Two minors were arrested in San Francisco after the self-driving vehicle they were riding in was pulled over by authorities due to a firearm being detected inside. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, alerted police after becoming aware of a violation of its terms of service involving a firearm.
San Francisco police officers were dispatched to 40th Avenue and Cabrillo Street before 4 a.m. on September 3rd following the report. Upon arrival, officers detained two minors, a boy and a girl, whose identities have not been released. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a loaded AR-style rifle, described as a ghost gun. Ghost guns are firearms that lack serial numbers, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.
In addition to the firearm, officers also found suspected marijuana and mace spray on the juveniles. Both minors were arrested on charges related to illegal firearm possession and were taken to San Francisco’s Juvenile Justice Center.
This incident follows a similar event in July, where Waymo contacted police after underage passengers inside one of its vehicles in San Mateo appeared to be drinking and discharging an object. Authorities later determined the teenagers had been firing Orbeez water beads from the car while consuming alcohol. The San Mateo Police Department had noted the incident on Facebook, asking parents if they knew their teens' whereabouts.
The September 3rd incident is currently under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department. Waymo declined to comment on the matter when reached by The California Post.