Springfield Police Investigation Leads to Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspects

Springfield Police Investigation Leads to Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspects

Six Suspects Arrested, Four Illegal Firearms Recovered

Springfield, Mass. — On Wednesday September 18^th at approximately 9:00 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Detective Bureau under the direction of Captain Trent Duda, Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan along with members of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department arrested four suspects on the 100 block of Wayne Street in connection with 14 firearm-armed robberies. Additionally, two other suspects were arrested on Jasper Street and Dearborn Street who are alleged to have involvement in these incidents.

Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers stated, “I’d like to thank Captain Duda and his Detectives who worked this case along with Captain Keenan and his Unit for their role in apprehending these armed individuals. These suspects became more and more brazen in the past two weeks, assaulting a store clerk and amplifying the number of robberies. I am thankful that no one was seriously hurt, and no customers walked into the store during these crimes. The type of firepower that these suspects had in their possession, including a machine gun, could have caused a lot of damage. I’m proud of our Detectives, who in a professional manner and without incident, helped put a stop to these crimes that were impacting our local business community.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Simply put, tremendous job by our brave and dedicated Springfield Police Officers led by Captain Trent Duda and Captain Brian Keenan, and Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. Thanks to their efforts and hard work, this crime spree, which started in April, was ended and numerous guns and drugs taken off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. Police Superintendent Larry Akers and I now ask our courts to do their job and hold these individuals accountable for the numerous serious crimes they have committed and the lives they have endangered. These violent incidents not only put our business community and their employees at risk but also our residents that were just trying to go about their day and shop for their grocery and other household needs. Once again, great job by our Springfield Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department.”

The Springfield Police Detective Bureau under the direction of Captain Duda has been investigating a string of firearm-armed robberies in the city that have been occurring at package stores and convenience stores since April. The robberies occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. At least fourteen similar armed robberies have taken place over the past five months in Springfield and other similar armed robberies in neighboring cities.

Members of the Springfield Police Detective Bureau identified suspects that were allegedly involved in these armed robberies and members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit have been conducting surveillance.

On Wednesday September 18^th Detectives were conducting surveillance when they believed four suspects were preparing to attempt an armed robbery. Around 8:45 p.m., these suspects parked a vehicle and a scooter on Wayne Street across from the Valero Gas Station on the 400 block of Allen Street. Detectives at this time activated their emergency equipment and converged on the suspects.

Detectives arrested 22-year-old Javahn Resto, 29-year-old Carlos Resto Jr., 33-year-old Malwin Feliciano and a 17-year-old juvenile male. Detectives recovered a large capacity Ghost Gun with 33 rounds of ammunition in the magazine which also had a sear selector switch making the firearm fully automatic. Detectives also recovered a large capacity handgun that was loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition.

22-year-old Javahn Resto was additionally charged with 11 counts of Firearm-Armed and Masked Robbery for his alleged involvement in these armed robberies over the past few months.

After these arrests, Detectives applied for and a search warrant for a home on the 0-100 block of Dearborn Street. As Detectives were conducting surveillance on the home as they were waiting for the issuance of the warrant, a subject, later identified as 48-year-old Carlos Resto Sr. got into a car and drove away. Detectives conducted a traffic stop on the 200 block of Jasper Street. While Resto Sr. was detained, Detectives recovered two large capacity magazines from inside the car. Resto Sr. was placed under arrest.

During a search of the vehicle, Detectives also recovered a loaded Diamond back Rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, approximately 327 bags of heroin, more than 60 grams of cocaine, crack-cocaine, marijuana, shotgun shells, a gun laser, additional ammunition, five additional firearm magazines and more than $3000 in cash.

Around 1:00 a.m. after being granted a search warrant for the home, Detectives arrested a 17-year-old juvenile male who was seen earlier loading backpacks inside the vehicle where contraband was found.

This is an ongoing investigation conducted by the Springfield Police Detective Bureau in conjunction with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

22-year-old Javahn Resto of Springfield is charged with:

Firearm-Armed and Masked Robbery (11 Counts)
Possession of a Machine Gun
Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
Carrying a Firearm without a License
Carrying a Loaded Large-Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Attempted Firearm-Armed and Masked Robbery
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon

29-year-old Carlos Resto Jr. of Springfield is charged with:

Possession of a Machine Gun
Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
Carrying a Firearm without a License
Carrying a Loaded Large-Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Attempted Firearm-Armed and Masked Robbery

33-year-old Malwin Feliciano of Springfield is charged with:

Possession of a Machine Gun
Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
Carrying a Firearm without a License
Carrying a Loaded Large-Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Attempted Firearm-Armed and Masked Robbery

48-year-old Carlos Resto Sr. of Springfield is charged with:

Carrying a Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
Trafficking Cocaine 36-100 Grams
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug – Subsequent Offense
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug – Subsequent Offense
Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device (Five Counts)
Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Three Counts)
Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Three Counts)
Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug – Subsequent Offense
Carrying a Loaded Rifle/Shotgun on a Public Way (Two Counts)

The names and charges for the two 17-year-old males who were arrested cannot be released at this time due to their age.

Armed Robbery Incidents Alleged to Be Connected to these Arrests