SPD Firearms Investigation Unit Seized Three Illegal Firearms over the Weekend

Knox Street Posse Member Out on Bail Arrested Friday Afternoon

Driver Arrested Three Weeks Prior for Reckless Driving Arrested Friday Evening

Suspect Arrested Saturday Afternoon with a Large Capacity Firearm

Springfield, Mass. — In the first four months of 2022 Detectives in the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit have seized 55 illegally possessed firearms, including three this past weekend during three separate arrests.

On Friday April 29th at approximately 5:10 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Lt. Brian Beliveau seized a loaded large capacity firearm and arrested 24-year-old Joshua Rosado on the 700 block of East Columbus Avenue.  At the time of the arrest Rosado was out on bail for an open firearms case in Hampden Superior Court and has a previous firearms conviction.

For the past several days FIU Detectives have been conducting an illegal firearms investigation with Rosado as a suspect.  Rosado is a known member of the Knox Street Posse, which is a street gang in Springfield.  The Hampden District Attorney’s SAFE Unit have been investigating this gang for the past year and a half, which has led to numerous arrests.  FIU Detectives and members of the SAFE Unit shared intelligence which led to information on a suspect vehicle Rosado was in.

FIU Detectives located the suspect vehicle with Rosado driving on Locust Street.  Assisting Detectives arrived and conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot on the 700 block of East Columbus Avenue.  Due to Rosado having a suspended license he was placed under arrest.  Before he could be placed in handcuffs, Rosado pushed a Detective and attempted to run away before he was able to be taken into custody.

Detectives then observed a firearm on the driver’s side floorboard of the car.  The firearm was loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition and a laser attachment.

On Friday April 29th at approximately 6:30 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) seized a loaded firearm and arrested 20-year-old Jorge Santiago on the 500 block of Belmont Avenue.

FIU Detectives received information Friday that Santiago was in possession of a firearm.  Detectives located Santiago on Belmont Avenue and recovered a firearm and two loaded magazines in a truck.  Santiago was placed under arrest.

On February 28th Springfield Police arrested Santiago with a knife and charged him with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, he was released on his own recognizance.

On Tuesday April 12th Springfield Police Officers arrested Santiago after he refused to stop for police and struck a fire hydrant while attempting to drive away.   Santiago and a juvenile passenger got out of the car and attempted to run away.  Officers detained the juvenile on Wilbraham Avenue and seized a loaded firearm from his sweatshirt pocket.  Officers then detained Santiago on Westford Circle and placed him under arrest.  Santiago was released on $200 bail in that incident.

On Saturday April 30th at approximately 4:45 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) seized a loaded large capacity firearm and arrested 22-year-old Ivan Cedeno on the 200 block of Allen Park Road.

For the past several months FIU Detectives have been conducting an illegal firearms investigation with Cedeno as a suspect.  On Saturday Detectives received information that Cedeno was in possession of a firearm.   Detectives located Cedeno on Allen Park Road, detained him and seized a loaded large capacity firearm from a fanny pack he was wearing.  Cedeno was placed under arrest.

The firearm was reported stolen out of New Hampshire.  The firearm was loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

“Ever since we started our Firearms Investigation Unit they have produced results.  The amount of lives they have saved and shootings they have prevented due to their arrests and seizures is immeasurable.  Unfortunately, two of the three suspects arrested this weekend were out on bail for serious offenses.  These repeat violent offenders show little regard for the judicial system and it shows just how easily they can get their hands on firearms putting our residents and officers in danger.  Hopefully this time they are held,” said Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Terrific work by our brave and dedicated men and women in blue.  The Springfield Police Department and the Firearms Investigation Unit has without a doubt saved lives by taking these illegal firearms off our streets and out of our neighborhoods.  Once again, our SPD makes another arrest of an individual who was out on bail on open firearms case and with a previous firearms conviction.  We need our court system to back us up and hold these serious gun arrests accountable.  These lenient gun sentences only embolden these individuals to continue to plague our streets and neighborhoods.  We need to hold them accountable for these crimes before someone gets serious hurt or worse, someone losses their life.”

The entire Springfield Police Department has seized 91 illegally possessed firearms so far in 2022.

24-year-old Joshua Rosado of Springfield is charged with:

  • Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
  • Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License – 2nd Offense
  • Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
  • Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent/Drug Crime
  • Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
  • Resisting Arrest

20-year-old Jorge Santiago of Springfield is charged with:

  • Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
  • Carrying a Firearm without a License
  • Possession of Ammunition without a FID Card

22-year-old Ivan Cedeno of Springfield is charged with:

  • Carrying a Firearm without a License
  • Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License
  • Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200