Four people, including one juvenile, were arrested in Springfield after police discovered multiple illegal firearms in a duffel bag.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Four people, including one juvenile, were arrested Friday in Springfield after police discovered multiple illegal firearms in a duffel bag.
According to police, on Friday, April 19th, at approximately 6:30 p.m., SPD Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) Detectives were conducting surveillance on the 100 block of Island Pond Rd, when they observed a known 17-year-old juvenile who had a suspended license drive away.
Later, detectives conducted a traffic stop on the 100 block of King Street after seeing that same 17-year-old enter a vehicle as a passenger. The juvenile was then placed under arrest for driving a stolen vehicle with a suspended license.
Following the arrest, three individuals arrived at the residence on Island Pond Rd, where the suspect was known to them. 21-year-old Alize Mercano of Springfield entered the home and emerged shortly after with a large duffel bag, which was then placed into the car’s trunk. Detectives conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Alderman and Pomona Streets.
Photo courtesy of the Springfield Police Department
The driver, identified as 37-year-old Marilee Nunez of Springfield, the front passenger, identified as 21-year-old Cristian Vazquez of Springfield, and Mercano in the back seat were arrested. Detectives searched the duffel bag and discovered an AR-15 rifle with a 30-round magazine, a second illegal firearm with a 50-round drum magazine, and a third illegal firearm under the seat where Vazquez was sitting.
Vazquez faces the following charges:
Carrying a Firearm without a License (Three Counts)
Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Unlicensed Possession of an Assault Weapon
Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
Nunez faces the following charges:
Carrying a Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Unlicensed Possession of an Assault Weapon
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Mercano faces the following charges:
Carrying a Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License (Two Counts)
Unlicensed Possession of an Assault Weapon
The name and booking photo of the 17-year-old juvenile cannot be released due to his age.
Local News
22News began broadcasting in March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow WWLP-22News on X @WWLP22News and Facebook.