Sergeant Neil Hennelly located the boys hiding at the end of a cul-de-sac a few blocks from the store. One of the boys was hiding in the bushes with his bicycle and a backpack containing very realistic "Air Soft" guns. One gun was a replica of an HK MP-5 machine gun; the other guns were replicas of Glock pistols, similar to what police officers carry.
The boys, aged 13 and 14, told Sergeant Hennelly and Officer Jess Riley they were on the way to where they shoot these guns. They decided to stop at the market to see if they could sell one of the pistols in order to buy some bagels.
Officer Riley compared one of the Glock replicas with his holstered side arm and they were nearly identical. The boys, who have had no prior police contact, were described by the officers as "good kids" who made a poor decision. Parents were called and the lads were sent straight home.
The West Linn Police advises parents and youngsters alike these realistic looking toys should only be used under direct parental supervision. "They really are not toys", cautioned Sergeant Neil Hennelly, "waving these things towards the wrong person could have dire consequences."
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Contact Information: Sgt Neil Hennelly 503-655-6214 ext 4498