Teen arrested with loaded handgun at traffic stop

SHAWANO — A 15-year-old Shawano male was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon after a traffic stop in the city Thursday.

Shortly after 9 p.m., Shawano Police Officers Brent Dilge and Tyler Steenbock stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. While speaking with the three occupants, the officers detected signs of possible drug use.

They asked Officer Heidi Thaves, and her K-9 partner, Caryk, to respond. With the assistance of Thaves and Caryk, probable cause was obtained to search the vehicle.

During the investigation, officers found a loaded, semi-automatic handgun. The 15-year-old, who was a passenger, was taken into custody and is being referred first to the Shawano County Human Services Department, then to the district attorney’s office for possible charges in juvenile court.