SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police seized a loaded large-capacity firearm on Tuesday, Nov. 28, setting a new annual record for illegal firearm recoveries in the city.
At about 1:30 p.m., authorities arrested 20-year-old Jose Santiago-Pacheco and 25-year-old Jennifer Oquendo on the 500 block of State Street after a traffic stop led to the discovery of the weapon.
Detectives initially noticed a vehicle without an inspection sticker near School and High Streets, which led them to pursue the car as it turned onto State Street.
The driver, Oquendo, eventually halted the vehicle after initially failing to stop when officers signaled.
As law enforcement approached, the passenger, Santiago-Pacheco, was observed attempting to hide a fanny pack across his chest, which was found to contain the firearm.
Santiago-Pacheco, who had a previous arrest on Sept. 22 for an illegal firearm and cocaine, was wearing a GPS ankle bracelet at the time of this incident.
He was out on bail with several firearm and drug charges pending in Springfield District Court.
The charges against Santiago-Pacheco include carrying a loaded large-capacity firearm on a public way, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.
Oquendo faces charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, and not having an inspection sticker.
This seizure brings the total number of illegal firearms recovered by Springfield Police to 317 for the year, surpassing the record set in 2022.
