HOLYOKE — Holyoke police seized three firearms and a trafficking amount of fentanyl during a weekend investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects, authorities said Monday.
The investigation began Friday at 3 p.m. when Officers Gabriel Perez and Justo Pagan responded to a disturbance at the Holyoke Mall.
Two suspects, later identified as Joshua Acevedo and Nexon Rios, fled from officers on foot.
Lt. Michael McMahon detained Rios while Officer Perez apprehended Acevedo after they exited the mall.
A victim who knew the suspects told police they had been assaulted and robbed of a phone and cash during an altercation at the mall.
The victim was transported to Holyoke Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
Officers recovered the stolen items and had the suspects’ vehicle towed pending a search warrant.
On Saturday, police executed the search warrant on the vehicle and discovered a firearm loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition.
Further investigation led police to a third suspect, Gabriel Del Valle, who was believed to possess additional firearms.
Officers obtained a search warrant for Del Valle’s residence on Walnut Street.
On Sunday, police conducting surveillance detained Del Valle as he left his home and found a loaded firearm in his sweatshirt.
During the subsequent search of Del Valle’s residence, officers recovered another loaded firearm, approximately 15 grams of suspected fentanyl and about 23 fentanyl pills.
Police determined the firearm found inside the home had been reported stolen from Baltimore, Maryland.
Gabriel Del Valle, 29, of Holyoke, faces multiple charges including fentanyl trafficking, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Joshua Acevedo, 24, of Springfield, who has prior firearms and drug convictions, was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, restraining order violation, and unarmed robbery among other charges.
Nexon Rios, 22, of Springfield, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unarmed robbery, and disorderly conduct.
