SPRINGFIELD — In a coordinated operation, Springfield Police Department officers arrested 36-year-old LaJuan Lake and seized a loaded semi-automatic firearm on Wednesday, after responding to reports of vandalism and gunfire the previous night.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., the Springfield Police Emergency Services Unit, C3 Units, Ordinance Unit, K9 Unit, and Squad “B” officers entered a vacant home on Washburn Street where Lake was found.
The arrest occurred after officers had been tipped off that Lake, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant, had returned to the area.
On Tuesday night, officers were first called to Washburn Street for vandalism and then later for shots fired.
Lake is suspected of shooting into an occupied residence from the vacant house, damaging a second-floor bedroom wall where a juvenile was sleeping.
The arrest operation began around 1:10 p.m. when the ESU, led by Lt.
Matthew Benoit, deployed a tactical robot into the house.
Lake was subsequently arrested without incident.
Following the arrest, K9 Officer Eric Blair and his partner, K9 Flexx, searched the house for evidence.
Flexx located a large capacity firearm on the second floor.
Lake faces multiple charges including possession of a large capacity firearm, armed breaking and entering, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and several counts of stalking, threats, and witness intimidation, among others.
He is also charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.
