Suspect Wanted on Firearms Charges, Arrested with a Loaded Firearm

Springfield, Mass. — On Sunday June 23rd at approximately 6:35 p.m., members of the Springfield Police C3 Metro Unit, C3 Forest Park Unit, C3 Mason Square Unit, Springfield Police Detectives and Squad “C” Officers seized a loaded firearm and arrested 24-year-old Jason Dunbar on the 200 block of Central Street.

Around 6:06 p.m., officers responded to an apartment on the 0-100 block of Coomes Street for a report of a suspect pistol whipping a female victim.  Officers located the known suspect, Dunbar, in a parking lot near the apartment building on Coomes Street walking toward a vehicle.  Dunbar entered the vehicle, and it began to drive away.    Once assisting units arrived, officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hancock Street and Central Street.  The driver pulled over and Dunbar exited the vehicle and began to run away before being stopped by officers not far from the vehicle.

As officers attempted to detain Dunbar he began reaching toward his right pocket.  Officers were able to prevent that from happening and then located a loaded firearm in Dunbar’s right pocket.  Officers also located approximately 18 grams of crack-cocaine in his pocket.

At the time of this arrest Dunbar had several outstanding warrants including one for firearms charges stemming from a May 9th incident on High Street.

24-year-old Jason Dunbar of Springfield is charged with:

• Carrying a Firearm without a License
• Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
• Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
• Firearm Violation with 3 Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
• Trafficking in Cocaine 18-36 Grams
• Carrying a Dangerous Weapon while having an Active Warrant
• Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle
• Resisting Arrest
• Assault & Battery
• Arrest Warrant – Springfield District Court
  – Carrying a Firearm without a License
  – Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
  – Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
• Arrest Warrant – Hampden Superior Court
  – Violation of an Abuse Prevention Order (Three Counts)
  – Assault & Battery – Violation of an Abuse Prevention Order
  – Breaking and Entering 
  – Stalking in Violation of a Restraining Order
  – Stalking – Subsequent Offense
  – Possession of a Class B Drug
  – Threat to Commit a Crime
  – Assault & Battery on a Police Officer (Two Counts)
• Default Warrant – Springfield District Court
  – Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  – Assault
  – Assault & Battery on a Police Officer
  – Resisting Arrest
  – Possession of a Class B Drug