Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Waymo calls San Mateo police on teens for drinking, shooting toy guns from driverless vehicle
KGO ^ | 07/07/2026 | Suzanne Phan

Posted on 07/08/2026 1:57:10 PM PDT by BenLurkin

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.

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.

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at abc7news.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: orbeez; waymo

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


1 posted on 07/08/2026 1:57:10 PM PDT by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

In the future the Waymo will close the windows and gas them.


2 posted on 07/08/2026 2:09:15 PM PDT by HYPOCRACY (There is no gravity. The earth just sucks. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Long before the current stuff, maybe in the 1970s, I looked up from reading science fiction and thought: “What if a really advanced computer concluded the way to increase public safety, reduce crime, lower the cost of police and courts and attract millions to go to urban areas, the decision should be made for a certain racial and ethnic group to be excluded?”


3 posted on 07/08/2026 2:09:44 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

This story suggests to me ways more sophisticated serious criminals might use Waymo.


4 posted on 07/08/2026 2:11:19 PM PDT by Salman (We need to proceed as if the system were completely broken, because it is. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
they were actually able to disable the vehicle for us.

One of the many powers the democRATs drool about.

Just imagine: you are driving, your car stops, the Control Voice mounted on your dashboard announces: ""you have reached your Carbon Allotment for the day.""

""Have a nice walk, citizen.""

5 posted on 07/08/2026 2:24:44 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Waymo does not sound like the choice of vehicle for your average good ole boy.


6 posted on 07/08/2026 2:53:59 PM PDT by citizen (All Bush-era RINOs have got to be primaried out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
I'm not sure what led to them learning about what was going on in their vehicle

Not cameras and microphones in the vehicle monitoring customers and listening in on conversations, that's for sure. Nosiree.

7 posted on 07/08/2026 3:02:52 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: citizen
Waymo does not sound like the choice of vehicle for your average good ole boy.

Most of them are Jaguar EVs. A few are VW EV micro vans.

So yes, you are quite correct.
8 posted on 07/08/2026 3:03:43 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Ronaldus Magnus III

If you were to build an autonymous taxi, wouldn’t you use internal cameras and AI to detect shennanagins and destructive acts?

Just to protect your property? Like a driver would?

They called the police. It could certainly take them to the police station.

I’m don’t know if the vehicle could lock them in, but I’d guess they lock them when the vehicle is in motion for safety reasons.


9 posted on 07/08/2026 3:08:50 PM PDT by MV=PY (The Magic Question: Who's paying for it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

teens


10 posted on 07/08/2026 3:56:45 PM PDT by 4Liberty (One person’s Socialism is another’s neighborliness. -Tim Walz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

On my very first date with a Kardashian and Waymo can pull the plug anytime it wants? I say that’s gonna be a lawsuit.


11 posted on 07/08/2026 6:09:27 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Well they could, but they might rather just sit back and watch the action.


12 posted on 07/08/2026 6:16:02 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson