SPD FIU Detectives Seize Two Firearms Friday
Springfield, Mass. — On Friday December 16th at approximately 4:45 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit under the direction of Lt. Christopher Collins seized two firearms and made two arrests in a parking lot on the 200 block of Union Street.
Detectives received information on Friday that a suspect, Justin Rodriguez, was illegally in possession of a firearm. Detectives located the suspect and another individual, later identified as Vasquez-Pena, enter a van in the Burr Street area. When assisting Detectives arrived they conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot on the 200 block of Union Street. The driver, Vasquez-Pena, attempted to reverse and made contact with an undercover vehicle with its emergency lights activated. Detectives then ordered the driver to stop, which he did, while Detectives observed Vasquez-Pena remove a firearm from his waist and place it into the center console.
Detectives detained Vasquez-Pena and the two passengers; Rodriguez and another passenger who was eventually released.
The firearm Detectives recovered from the center console was a loaded Ghost Gun. Detectives also recovered a firearm from the floor area where Rodriguez was sitting. Both suspects were placed under arrest.
Detectives assigned to the Firearms Investigation Unit have seized 135 illegally possessed guns so far in 2022.
31-year-old Stharling Vasquez-Pena of Springfield is charged with:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way
18-year-old Justin Rodriguez of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm without a License
