Three teens charged with illegal gun possession

Three days after several guns, including an assault rifle, were reported stolen during a burglary, Houston County Sheriff’s investigators seized the weapons and arrested three teenagers.

Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes said the three Headland teenagers charged are believed to be involved with a gang called the 37 Boys out of the Headland area. Hughes said the guns were likely going to be used for resale on the street, and for crimes.

“We want to get these weapons off the street before they can be used to shoot someone,” Hughes said. “We want to do the best we can to get these guns off the street before anyone gets hurt.”

Richard Tyler Skipper, 18, was driving a Nissan Altima in the 3000 block of Briarhill Road near Northview High School. Hughes said two other teens traveling in the vehicle threw handguns out of a window of the car moments before it was stopped by deputies.

Investigators seized a .357-caliber handgun, a .40-caliber semi-automatic, a .22-caliber Luger, a .308 assault rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun during the traffic stop. The two rifles were found in the trunk of the car.

The investigation showed the weapons were reported stolen Monday during a residential burglary in Napier Field.

Skipper, along with the two passengers in the car, Michael Vines, 19, and a 17-year-old male, were charged with felony first-degree receiving stolen property. Both Skipper and Vines are being held at the Houston County on a $100,000 bond each.

Hughes said investigators are working on charging the juvenile as an adult because he already has a pending felony first-degree assault case in which he is charged as an adult.

“He wanted a high bond because it would help his reputation,” Hughes said. “It would up his status.”

Hughes said the juvenile was taken to the Southeast Alabama Juvenile Diversion Center until he is charged as an adult. Hughes said the juvenile asked investigators how high they could make his bond, and whether they could put him in the Houston County Jail.