Juvenile taken into custody after firearm found during Norfolk investigation

Press release

NORFOLK, Neb. — A juvenile was taken into custody early Sunday after officers found a handgun during an investigation involving curfew violations in Norfolk.

Officers with the Norfolk Police Division responded around 3:25 a.m. March 22 to a report of suspicious individuals near Grace Lutheran Church, 416 W. Park Ave.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a group of juveniles, some inside a vehicle and others nearby. All individuals were detained due to curfew violations.

During the investigation, officers detected the odor of alcohol coming from within the vehicle. With consent to search, officers located a small amount of alcohol and a handgun concealed under the driver’s seat.

Police said no individual initially claimed ownership of the firearm. Several juveniles displayed signs of alcohol consumption.

Through further investigation, officers determined that one juvenile had been in possession of the firearm prior to police arrival. That individual was taken into custody and transported to a juvenile detention center following an intake assessment.

The remaining juveniles were cited for curfew violations and, where applicable, minor in possession of alcohol, and were released to their parents.

During follow-up investigation, officers located a magazine containing ammunition in the vicinity of the incident. The firearm recovered at the scene was confirmed to have been reported stolen in a prior Norfolk Police Division case.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be considered.