Two teens arrested on suspicion of gang activity

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A 14-year-old and a 15-year-old were arrested Tuesday, July 2, after a months-long investigation identified the two as suspects in various crimes, including bringing a gun onto school grounds.

According to CSPD, the investigation began in early 2024, when the Strategic Investigations Unit (SIU) began investigating local gang members for numerous violent and gun-related crimes. Through the investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for two separate homes, one southeast of Colorado Springs and one near Prospect Lake.

On July 2, the first search was conducted by the Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) in the 2100 block of Delta Drive, near South Academy Boulevard and El Morro Road. The search resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old boy for illegal possession of a weapon on school grounds.

The SIU and TEU then conducted a search of the second home in the 1000 block of East Rio Grande Street, west of Prospect Lake. Prior to serving the search warrant, a 14-year-old male suspect was observed walking away from the home and when officers attempted to make contact, the suspect produced a handgun and fled.

During a brief chase, the suspect threw the handgun into a yard and was caught a short distance away. The handgun was discovered to have been stolen during a 2023 burglary.

The 15-year-old was booked into the Zebulon Pike Juvenile Detention Center on his warrant and faces additional charges related to multiple other investigations, including motor vehicle theft, uttering threats, violating a protection order and possession of a handgun. The 14-year-old was also booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on motor vehicle theft, uttering threats and possession of a handgun.

Neither teenager will be identified because of their age.