Traffic Stop Leads to Recovery of Loaded Firearm, Drugs from Four Connecticut Men
Springfield, Mass. — On Sunday April 7th at approximately 2:10 a.m., members of the Springfield Police C-3 North End Unit and Springfield Police Officers under the direction of Lt. Julio Toledo seized a loaded firearm, crack-cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana and cash while arresting four suspects on the 1600 block of Main Street.
About 15 minutes earlier officers observed a vehicle on Worthington Street that had its registration expired. As the car turned onto Main Street, officers conducted a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Rufus Howell, and his three occupants pulled over on Main Street. Officers immediately saw an open container of alcohol inside the car. Assisting officers arrived as the car needed to be towed as it was neither registered nor insured.
During a search of the car, officers located several packaged bags of marijuana, crack-cocaine and a loaded firearm. During a search of the occupants, Officers recovered powdered cocaine on Daniel Thomas.
Officers placed Howell, Thomas, Travis Harris and Malcolm Foster under arrest.
46-year-old Rufus Howell of Simsbury, Connecticut is charged with:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Armed during the Commission of a Felony
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Open Container of Alcohol
- Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle
- Operation of a Motor Vehicle with an Attached Plate
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
43-year-old Daniel Thomas of Hartford, Connecticut is charged with:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (Two Counts)
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Armed during the Commission of a Felony
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Open Container of Alcohol
31-year-old Travis Harris of Hartford, Connecticut is charged with:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Armed during the Commission of a Felony
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Open Container of Alcohol
35-year-old Malcolm Foster of Hartford, Connecticut is charged with:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Armed during the Commission of a Felony
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Open Container of Alcohol
