Cordele Police Arrest Teen After Recovering AR-15 Style Pistol and Handgun During Patrol

CORDELE, Ga. — A 16-year-old was arrested early Wednesday morning after officers recovered two firearms during a patrol in Cordele, according to the Cordele Police Department.

Police said officers were patrolling the area of 24th Avenue and Joe Wright Drive at approximately 1 a.m. on May 13, 2026, when they observed three unidentified males running from the area.

Authorities said officers made contact with one juvenile male and observed an AR-15-style pistol fall from the teen’s waistband.

During a subsequent search, officers recovered a Taurus handgun from the juvenile’s backpack, according to investigators.

The 16-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of a Pistol by a Person Under 18 Years of Age and two counts of Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers.

Police credited proactive patrol work and assistance from the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office with helping remove the firearms from the streets.