Traffic stop turns up runaway juvenile

A runaway juvenile was recovered during a routine traffic stop on the north end of Blanding on November 21.
During the stop, which was initiated for speeding, a deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office conducted a front-seat interview with the vehicle’s occupants.
The passenger, a 19-year-old male, admitted to the presence of a THC vape in the car.
The driver was identified as a 17-year-old female. Further investigation revealed that the female driver was listed as a runaway in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
The juvenile was safely transferred to the Canyonlands Youth Center in Blanding, where arrangements were made for her mother to pick her up.
The 19-year-old male passenger was charged with possession of alcohol, tobacco, and drug paraphernalia.
After determining that he was unaware of the juvenile’s runaway status, the deputy did not pursue charges for harboring a runaway.
No THC vape was located during the search of the vehicle.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to the safety and well-being of all members of our community.