ROCKINGHAM — Police say they recovered two stolen guns and arrested one man on outstanding weapon-related charges between the holidays.
According to the Rockingham Police Department, officers conducted a traffic stop Dec. 28 on a vehicle with a revoked tag on W. Washington Street.
The officers reportedly “observed a strong odor of marijuana” coming from the vehicle during their approach.
Police say they “noted some hesitation” from the driver, 28-year-old Kamesha McNeill, of Hamlet, and asked all occupants — which included two passengers who are 15, one who is 16 and another who is 18 — to exit the vehicle before initiating a search.
Officers reportedly found three firearms — two of which had been reported stolen in the county — and an unspecified amount of marijuana, described in a social media post as “a significant quantity.”
One of the 15-year-olds reportedly pulled away while being handcuffed and ran, but was caught after a brief chase.
The unnamed defendant is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, and resisting a public officer.
The other 15-year-old is charged with the same, except the resisting charge; and the 16-year-old is charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana.
The names of those defendants are being withheld because of their ages.
Police say the teens were taken into custody and later released to their parents or guardians.
The front-seat passenger, 18-year-old Jamari Tahijeon Johnson, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from the Hamlet Police Department, and cited for carrying a concealed gun.
According to the warrant, Johnson displayed a concealed AR-15-style pistol in the parking lot of the Speedway gas station during a verbal confrontation, “creating the threat of imminent fighting and violence,” fighting on Sept. 17.
The warrant — charging Johnson with going armed to the terror of the people, carrying a concealed gun and disorderly conduct — was issued on Sept. 20.
Online court records show Johnson made bail on Dec. 30 and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 12.
McNeill was released with several traffic citations.
Police say the case is still under investigation and more charges may be forthcoming.
Records show Johnson has a pending case from the N.C. State Highway Patrol including a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and multiple traffic citations from June 2024.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
