Teens arrested in Villa Park for guns, drugs

Villa Park police on Thursday announced two arrests his officers made earlier in the week, including one he said led to the seizure of a loaded gun.

On Monday, police questioned two male juveniles on suspicion they were smoking marijuana on the 500 block of West Division Street.

Upon further investigation, police said they found one of the boys, 16, had a loaded .32-caliber handgun in his waistband. Authorities said the gun's serial number had been tampered with to prevent its identification.

The boy was taken to the DuPage County youth home, pending an appearance in court. The other teen was released to his parents. On Tuesday, 17-year-old Michael N. Merrinette of 1112 Highridge Road, Lombard, was charged with felony burglary to a motor vehicle after police said he was nabbed with several pieces of stolen property.

He is due in court later this summer.