Waymo calls San Mateo police on teens for drinking, shooting toy guns from driverless vehicle

SAN MATEO, Calif. (KGO) -- Two 15-year-old boys were detained after San Mateo police said they were drinking and firing gel-based pellets from a driverless Waymo vehicle, prompting the company to alert authorities and stop the ride.

Police said the incident happened Monday afternoon. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is now deciding whether the teens will face charges, including underage drinking.

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According to investigators, officers found alcohol and a toy gun that appeared to have been painted over inside the vehicle. Police said the teens were firing gel-based pellets known as Orbeez, which are similar to paintballs.

"Around 2:10 we got a call from a Waymo rep saying there were two people in their vehicle, and they saw them shooting out of the vehicle," said Jeanine Luna of the San Mateo Police Department.

"They also described the passengers as being intoxicated," Luna said.

Police said Waymo vehicles are equipped with multiple cameras. In this case, authorities said someone at the company was monitoring events in real time and provided officers with updates as the situation unfolded.

"I'm not sure what led to them learning about what was going on in their vehicle, but once they had the information, they did contact us immediately, told us what they saw, told us where they were and actually disable the vehicle for us," Luna said.

Police said Waymo directed officers to the vehicle after it stopped near 20th Avenue and El Camino Real in San Mateo.

"They did say they were able to disable the vehicle and used a ruse to tell the passengers, 'Oh the car is having trouble.' So, we could set up and get into position," Luna said.

When officers arrived, they conducted what police described as a high-risk traffic stop. Some officers responded with stun guns, and a police dog was deployed.

Authorities said the teens cooperated with officers and that no one was injured by the pellets.

"They were right in calling us and letting us know," Luna said of Waymo's actions.

San Mateo resident Gina Garces said she was concerned by the teens' behavior but supported the company's response.

"I think that's dangerous," Garces said.

"I like what the Waymo was doing and being protective," she said.

Police said the case remains under review as prosecutors determine whether charges will be filed. Police also say they expect to be reviewing the video from inside the Waymo.

ABC7 Eyewitness News reached out to Waymo for comment but has not heard back.