Vicksburg police arrested two teenagers Saturday night on charges of auto burglary after a chase through a section of downtown Vicksburg.

One of the arresting officers was Police Chief Milton Moore.

The events leading to the arrest and chase began about 7 p.m., when police received a 911 call from a resident that three juveniles were going around and pulling on the doors of cars parked in the city’s north parking garage on Mulberry Street across from Margaritaville.

“I was in the area because I was downtown for Second Saturday, so when the call came out, I responded with the officers,” Moore said.

When he arrived at the scene, he said, the teens were gone, but he saw three juveniles walking across from City Hall on Crawford Street.

When he got out of his pickup and tried to talk to the trio, he said, “they took off running.”

One of the juveniles Moore was chasing had two handguns, a .380-caliber and a 9mm, in his pockets.

“He was running north on Walnut,” he said. “We crossed over Clay Street and he happened to trip and fall, and once he fell, the two handguns came out his pocket and hit the pavement, and as one handgun hit the pavement, it accidentally discharged. Thank God it didn’t hit anyone.”

Moore caught the teen, who was referred to the Warren County Youth Detention Center. The other teen was turned over to his parents. One of the guns the teen lost had been reported stolen, he said. Police are waiting to see if the other weapon is reported stolen.

He said it was fortunate no one was hurt when the gun went off.

“There was a wedding party at the BB Club across the street (where the teen fell), and several people were out on the balcony; we’re lucky no one was hit.”

Moore said the incident should serve as a lesson people “need to make sure their cars are secure. And be more responsible.

“We’re grateful no one got hurt and we got two guns off the street.”