San Mateo police detained two 15-year-olds on Monday afternoon after their autonomous Waymo vehicle alerted officers to alleged reckless behavior, including drinking alcohol and firing projectiles from the vehicle.
According to Jeanine Luna of the San Mateo Police Department, a Waymo representative contacted authorities around 2:10 p.m. to report two individuals in their vehicle who were seen "shooting out of the vehicle" and described as "being intoxicated."
The Waymo vehicle, which had alerted officers to the passengers' actions, was directed by the company to stop near 20th Avenue and El Camino Real in San Mateo, where it reported having "car troubles" while awaiting police assistance.
Officers, employing what they described as a high-risk traffic stop with stun guns and a K9 unit, detained the two juveniles. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement discovered a painted-over toy gun and Powerade bottles filled with Orbeez pellets, a type of gel-based projectile. Police stated the teens had been firing these pellets but cooperated with the investigation, and no injuries were reported.
The county’s District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case to determine potential charges, which may include underage alcohol consumption.
Waymo vehicles are equipped with internal cameras and microphones intended for safety and emergency purposes, according to the company's support page. These cameras can assist in maintaining vehicle cleanliness and recovering lost items. Waymo has stated it does not use facial recognition or biometric technology to identify passengers.
The San Mateo Police Department commented on the incident, noting the teens were observed "shooting Orbeez as they sipped on afternoon libations while being chauffeured around town." The department also issued a caution regarding the handling of toy guns, water guns, and BB guns, emphasizing that they can pose real dangers and cause fear or injury, especially when fired at high speeds. The statement concluded that underage drinking was also a contributing factor to the poor decisions made by the individuals.
