Armed Suspect Attempts to Disarm Police Officer, Arrested on Armed Robbery Charges

Springfield, Mass. — On Saturday September 10th at approximately 12:10 a.m. a Springfield Police Officer entered the Pride on the 1200 block of East Columbus Avenue and observed an altercation between the clerk and a suspect, later identified as Vilmanuel Mulero-Vazquez, who was armed with a knife.

Mulero-Vazquez, who was previously trespassed from the store, was attempting to steal items and was yelling at the clerk.   The officer attempted to intervene when Mulero-Vazquez pushed him and then began hitting the officer in the face with a closed fist.  While the officer attempted to take the suspect into custody Mulero-Vazquez bit the officer in the arm and then attempted to grab the officer’s service pistol from the holster.

Assisting officers arrived and Mulero-Vazquez was taken into custody.

32-year-old Vilmanuel Mulero-Vazquez of Springfield is charged with:

  • Armed Robbery
  • Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
  • Attempt to Disarm a Police Officer
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Trespass