A late-night patrol in North Charleston, South Carolina, led to the arrest of a man and charges against a juvenile after police spotted suspicious activity involving a firearm. The situation quickly escalated into a serious case involving illegal weapons and multiple offences.
How the Incident Started
According to the North Charleston Police Department, the incident happened around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.
An officer from the K-9 Unit was patrolling near Maz Fresco Supermarket when he noticed a driver inside a vehicle waving a firearm. The officer began following the car after also spotting:
- A broken third brake light
- An expired vehicle tag
These violations gave the officer reason to initiate a traffic stop.
Traffic Stop and Detention
The vehicle eventually pulled into Spivey’s Mobile Home Park and stopped without any resistance.
Police identified the driver as Elias Martinez-Reyes, 30 years old. A juvenile passenger was also in the car.
During the initial check, officers noticed an open container of beer in the front seat, which added to the concerns.
Weapons and Evidence Recovered
During a search of the vehicle and nearby area, officers found several items linked to firearms:
- A 9 mm bullet round
- A Glock magazine loaded with 14 rounds
- An unloaded handgun found on the ground outside the passenger-side window
Investigators believe the juvenile threw the gun out of the vehicle during the traffic stop.
Police later confirmed that the handgun had been reported stolen in December 2025.
Additional Discovery in the Vehicle
While conducting an inventory search, officers also found a 12-gauge shotgun inside a toolbox in the trunk. The weapon was seized and taken as evidence for safekeeping.
Charges Against the Juvenile
The juvenile was taken to the North Bureau to be released to a parent. However, police said the situation became aggressive, and the juvenile allegedly spit on three officers in front of family members.
The juvenile now faces several charges, including:
- Possession of a handgun under the age of 18
- Possession of stolen goods under $2,000
- Three counts of throwing bodily fluids
Charges Against the Driver
Martinez-Reyes is also facing multiple charges:
- Driving with a suspended license (second offence)
- Open container violation
- Possession of stolen goods under $2,000
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
He was taken into custody and booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Importance of Law Enforcement Vigilance
This case highlights how routine patrols can prevent potentially dangerous situations. Spotting suspicious behaviour early helped officers recover illegal weapons and take action before anything more serious happened.
This incident in North Charleston shows how quickly a routine patrol can uncover serious illegal activity. The presence of stolen firearms, ammunition, and a minor involved made the situation highly concerning. Thanks to alert policing, the suspects were stopped before the situation could escalate further. Cases like this underline the importance of strict law enforcement and responsible behaviour, especially when it comes to firearms and public safety.
