On Wednesday August 25th at approximately 11:30 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.) under the direction of Lt. Brian Beliveau and Sgt. Christopher Hitas seized a loaded large capacity firearm, arrested 30 year old James Bennett and 23 year old Naukeeza Wannamaker on Avon Place.

Firearms Investigation Unit Detectives received information Wednesday that Bennett and Wannamaker were illegally in possession of a gun. Detectives located Bennett, Wannamaker and a third individual on Avon Place. Ms. Wannamaker was immediately detained. After a brief foot pursuit Detectives secured Bennett and seized the firearm which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. The third individual was released.

Detectives arrested Bennett on firearms possession charges in June 2020 and Bennett has an open case from a December 2020 arrest where he is charged with Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Firearm).

30 year old James Bennett of Springfield is charged with:

• Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way

• Carrying a Firearm without a License

• Violation of a Firearm Surrender Order

23 year old Naukeeza Wannamaker of Springfield is charged with:

• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm

• Possession of Ammunition without a FID Card