WASHINGTON — Two people were arrested after two stolen cars containing firearms — taken from a police car — were found at or near a Montgomery County school.
Mario G. Alvarado, 18, is accused of stealing a car and driving it to Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, Maryland, Monday. In the car, police found an AR-15 assault rifle and ammunition that had been stolen from a Rockville City police cruiser April 29.
Alvarado, 18, of Wheaton, Maryland, was arrested Monday and charged with possession of a deadly weapon on school property, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle and other firearm related charges.
“We don’t know what Mr. Alvarado’s intention was for having an AR-15, but thankfully he didn’t try to use it in any type of way or threaten anybody with it,” said Montgomery County police spokesman Officer Rick Goodale.
A Montgomery County police school resource officer who was patrolling school grounds Monday morning noticed Alvarado acting suspiciously and initiated a traffic stop.
Alvarado initially got out of the car and ran away from the officer, according to charging documents. Eventually, he was taken into custody.
The charging documents say that later, at a police station, Alvarado admitted knowing that the car was stolen and that there was a stolen rifle inside.
Officers also located another car parked near the school that had been reported stolen on April 22 from a Wheaton residence. Inside, officers found a shotgun that had been stolen from the same Rockville City Police Department car.
Rockville City spokeswoman Marilou Berg confirms all of the weapons that had been stolen from the police cruiser have been recovered.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday and charged with auto theft offenses in connection with the case. He was released to the custody of his parents.
Alvarado is being held on a $2,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to call 240-773-6710.
WTOP’s Jennifer Ortiz contributed to this report.