A Morgan Hill teen with a history of trouble was taken to
juvenile hall Tuesday night on charges of making a terrorist
threat, a felony.
A Morgan Hill teen with a history of trouble was taken to juvenile hall Tuesday night on charges of making a terrorist threat, a felony.
“He was just released (from juvenile hall) a couple of weeks ago,” Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. Joe Sampson said Thursday. “He was still under house arrest with an electronic bracelet.”
The 16-year-old male was arrested again and returned to juvenile hall after allegedly threatening to kill another Morgan Hill teen over a relationship with a girl.
On Tuesday, Sampson said, police were called when the stepfather of a teen reported a threatening message left on his voicemail.
“The victim’s stepfather received a voice message that someone had threatened to come to the house and kill his son,” said Sampson. “The son listens to it and recognizes the voice. They became concerned because they know him (the suspect), have had prior contact with him and they decided to call police.”
Officers checked into the background of the suspect, discovered that the young men had “exchanged words,” Sampson said, and had a physical fight nine months before over the girl.
“We decided to take it as a legitimate threat,” Sampson said. “He was characterized as extremely dangerous. We contacted his probation officer, contacted the Sheriff’s Office and pulled a team together.”
Officers went to the suspect’s home at approximately 11pm on Tuesday, Sampson said. Speaking to one of his parents on the phone, officers asked for the suspect to come out of the house. He complied, Sampson said, and was taken into custody without incident.
The victim – the other teen – and his stepfather were notified of the suspect’s arrest, Sampson said.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 Ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
