SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit has arrested 30-year-old Luis Rodriguez-Cruz in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning, officials announced Tuesday.
The incident took place around 3:10 a.m. on Aug. 11, when police were dispatched to the intersection of State and Terrence Streets following reports of a stabbing victim found in the road.
The adult male victim was transported to Baystate Medical Center but later died from his injuries.
A crime scene was established at an apartment building on the 600 block of State Street.
Under the leadership of Captain Trent Duda, the Homicide Unit identified Rodriguez-Cruz as the primary suspect in the stabbing.
Rodriguez-Cruz was already wanted on an active default warrant for drug charges.
Two days later, on Aug. 13, the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), directed by Sergeants Christopher Hitas and David Robillard, located Rodriguez-Cruz in a vehicle near Worthington and Armory Streets.
After following him to a parking lot on the 2200 block of Main Street, detectives arrested him on the outstanding warrant as he exited his car.
During the arrest, detectives discovered a loaded firearm in Rodriguez-Cruz’s waistband, along with cocaine and crack cocaine.
He was also found to be driving without a license and was booked at Springfield Police Headquarters.
Additional evidence gathered by Homicide Detectives linked Rodriguez-Cruz to the murder, resulting in him being charged with the crime.
Rodriguez-Cruz faces multiple charges, including murder, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Class B drug, and the default warrant.
He is expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Wednesday.
