A 12-year-old male was arrested early Tuesday morning after being caught riding an allegedly stolen bicycle.

According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, police stopped the juvenile at 12:46 a.m. on Tuesday in the 300 block of West Oakland Avenue. Police saw the juvenile riding a bicycle that was too large for him. When they approached, the juvenile allegedly got off the bicycle, ran up to a nearby tree and dropped something. Police allegedly found a BB gun next to the tree.

Krueger said police ran the serial number on the bike, which came back stolen. The juvenile was arrested and police allegedly found BBs in his pocket. When asked why he had the BB gun, the juvenile allegedly said it was for protection.

The juvenile was transported to the Rochester Juvenile Detention Center and is facing possible charges of carrying a BB gun in public and possession of a stolen bicycle valued over $500.

The bicycle’s owner was contacted and picked up the bike Tuesday morning.