SPRINGFIELD — In a brazen attempted carjacking on March 29, two men were arrested after targeting an on-duty plain-clothes officer from the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU).
The incident occurred when a detective, who was conducting surveillance in the Reed Street area, was confronted by an armed individual tapping on the window of his unmarked police vehicle.
The suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Dannie Abrew, brandished a firearm at the detective while his accomplice, 19-year-old Devin Abrew, assisted in the attempt.
Responding quickly, the detective drove away from the scene and alerted other officers.
The FIU, led by Sergeants Christopher Hitas and David Robillard, and under the overall direction of Captain Brian Keenan, soon apprehended the suspects on Reed Street.
Devin was taken into custody on the street, while Dannie attempted to flee, discarding his weapon before being caught.
The recovered firearm was loaded with ten rounds and had a capacity for 14.
Both suspects were arraigned in Springfield District Court on Monday, April 1 and are being held at the Hampden County Correctional Facility.
A dangerousness hearing is set for April 4.
Springfield Mayor Sarno emphasized the seriousness of the crime, condemning the suspects’ actions and highlighting the danger posed not only to law enforcement but to the community at large.
He called for a strong judicial response to such violent offenses, advocating for a shift towards stricter law enforcement.
The charges against Devin and Dannie Abrew include carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded large-capacity firearm on a public way, improper storage of a large-capacity firearm, attempted armed carjacking with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest.
The Springfield Police FIU has seized 27 illegal firearms to date in 2024, continuing their efforts to combat gun violence and improve public safety.
