Plain Clothes Detective Victim of Armed Carjacking Attempt

Plain Clothes Detective Victim of Armed Carjacking Attempt

Springfield, Mass. — On Friday March 29th at approximately 8:20 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Sergeants Christopher Hitas and David Robillard seized a loaded large-capacity firearm and arrested Dannie and Devin Abrew in connection with an attempted armed carjacking involving an on-duty plain-clothes Springfield Police Officer.

Around 8:15 p.m., a member of the Springfield Police FIU was conducting an investigation in the area of Reed Street. The Detective then heard a tapping at his front passenger window and saw a firearm pointed directly at him. The suspect holding the firearm, later identified as Dannie Abrew, and a second suspect who was involved in the crime, later identified as Devin Abrew, surrounded the unmarked cruiser.

The Plain Clothes Detective then put his car in drive and drove towards Wilbraham Road while relaying information to assisting Detectives. As support Detectives arrived, they located the Dannie and Devin Abrew on Reed Street. Devin Abrew was taken into custody on Reed Street. Dannie Abrew tried to run away, tossed his firearm, came out from behind a home and was taken into custody. The loaded firearm was recovered. It was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and capable of holding 14 rounds.

The suspects were arraigned in Springfield District Court on Monday April 1st and will be held at the Hampden County Correctional Facility pending a dangerousness hearing on April 4th.

“Our Detective made a split-second decision with a gun pointed at his head and his instincts helped lead him to safety. Our assisting Detectives did an excellent job in quickly securing the two suspects and the illegal firearm. In the past few weeks, we have had officers shot at and in this case been a victim of an armed carjacking attempt. We urge our judges to ensure these dangerous individuals are held to help keep our city streets safe. If these suspects are brazen enough to commit this crime against an officer, imagine what they would have done to a civilian.”

Mayor Sarno states, “Now this incident shows just how brazen and stupid these violent offenders are that they would carjack an SPD detective’s car! Our brave and dedicated officers could have been injured or God forbid worst by this blatant ambush. What message will some of our judges and court system send? Will they keep them behind bars, or will they continue to embolden and empower them to commit more crimes against our residents/businesses and police officers?! – the pendulum needs to swing back to law and order. Again, I commend and thank our brave and dedicated SPD Firearms Investigation unit for their continued efforts in getting dangerous weapons and individual off our streets and out of our neighborhoods in the name of safety and quality of life for all of our residents.”

18-year-old Devin Abrew of Springfield is charged with: