SPD Officers Seize AK-Style Rifle and Machine Gun
Springfield, Mass. — On Wednesday December 11th, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Springfield Police Officers seized three large capacity firearms including an AK style rifle and machine gun while arresting two suspects on the 700 block of State Street.
Around 4:45 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of State Street for a report of a stolen motor vehicle. Officers located the vehicle in a parking lot and observed a subject, later identified as Jean Rodriguez-Claudio, with the keys to the car.
Officers placed Rodriguez-Claudio under arrest and recovered oxycodone on him. During a search of the car, officers located and seized a Zastava rifle loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition. Officers then located two additional firearms inside the car; one loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, and another loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition. The firearm loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition also had a sear-selector switch, which makes the firearm a fully automatic machine gun. Additional loose rifle ammunition was also located in the car.
As officers were preparing to tow the vehicle, a 16-year-old male approached them who stated the firearms belonged to him. The 16-year-old was also placed under arrest. Due to his age, his booking photo, name and specific charges will not be released.
22-year-old Jean Rodriguez-Claudio of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Machine Gun
- Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
- Carrying a Firearm without a License (Three Counts)
- Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way (Three Counts)
- Unlicensed Possession of an Assault Weapon
- Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Three Counts)
- Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm (Three Counts)
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
- Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug