Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit Seizes Loaded Firearm; 300th Illegal Gun Recovered in 2023
Springfield, Mass. — On Thursday November 2nd, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Sgt. Christopher Hitas & Sgt. David Robillard seized a loaded firearm, an additional magazine, cash and marijuana while arresting three juveniles and an adult on the 700 block of State Street.
Detectives in the Springfield Police (FIU) have been conducting a joint illegal gun and drug investigation with two juveniles as the suspects. Detectives received information that the juveniles were selling marijuana while arming themselves with guns. On Thursday Detectives were conducting surveillance and saw four individuals, including the suspects, inside a vehicle. Detectives continued surveillance and observed the suspects driving around the city making drug transactions at various locations. When the vehicle parked on the 700 block of State Street Detectives conducted a traffic stop. The driver, a 15-year-old, put the car in drive and struck a police vehicle.
The four occupants of the vehicle then got out of the car and were secured. Detectives located a loaded firearm in the jacket of a 16-year-old male. The large-capacity firearm loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition and capable of holding 15 rounds.
During the search of the car Detectives recovered numerous bags of marijuana, more than $750 in cash, an additional firearm magazine and a loose round of ammunition. Additional ammunition and marijuana were located during a search of one of the juvenile’s homes. Three juveniles and 21-year-old Jorge Santiago were placed under arrest. Santiago is currently out on bail for firearms charges stemming from when the Springfield Police arrested him in April 2022. Springfield Police have now arrested him twice since that firearms arrest, Thursday and in July 2022 for illegally riding a dirt bike without a license.
The firearm recovered was the 300th illegal firearm seized by the Springfield Police Department in 2023. The Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit alone has seized 128 illegal guns. In 2022, the Springfield Police Department seized a record 314 illegal firearms. As of November 7th, the department has seized 305 illegal firearms.
21-year-old Jorge Santiago of Springfield is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
The names of the juveniles, ages 16, 16 and 15, will not be released nor will their specific charges due to their ages.
