Two San Mateo teens detained after wild ride in a Waymo car
The San Mateo Police Department detained two teenagers, 15, after they were reported drinking and shooting toy guns from a Waymo car. July 6, 2026. Photo: San Mateo police
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Two teenagers were detained by the San Mateo Police Department Monday afternoon after they were reported drinking and shooting toy guns from a Waymo car.
The pair of 15-year-olds were stopped by authorities and allegedly found to have been shooting orange water beads and drinking alcohol while in the driverless car.
Wild ride in Waymo
Why you should care:
Waymo had reported and called in the behavior of the passengers to the San Mateo Police Department. Once they arrived and stopped the car, the teens were removed.
The police said in a post that while there was "ingenuity" to their scheme, the risks of using toy guns, water guns, or BB guns are high, especially to an untrained eye.
They warned the use of them could elicit fear from people passing by or for those who don't spare a second glance.
The projectiles, being the orange water beads, shot at high speeds can cause damage too.
The police also noted that the underage drinking that occurred was also a bad idea.
Someone heeded at the end of the police department's post, "Well, the Waymo might have been the smartest idea yet, because driving impaired would’ve made this so much worse."
The Source: San Mateo Police Department