SPRINGFIELD — A routine patrol check on Route 291 led to the arrest of a man on firearms charges after his vehicle’s expired registration prompted further investigation, authorities said Thursday.
Trooper Erick Zelayandia noticed a Honda Accord with expired registration traveling in the right lane and initiated a stop.
Upon checking the identification provided by the driver and passenger, Zelayandia discovered that the passenger, Simmie Thomas, 27, of Springfield, had an outstanding arrest warrant.
Thomas was arrested on the warrant and placed in Zelayandia’s cruiser.
An inventory search of the vehicle in preparation for towing revealed a loaded 9mm Glock 19 handgun with a 17-round magazine under the passenger seat.
Thomas could not produce a valid firearms license, and the driver also lacked such credentials and was subsequently summoned to court.
Thomas faced arraignment at Springfield District Court on several charges including unlicensed possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
