Holyoke police arrested Rafael Rodriguez, 19, of 181 chestnut St., Apt. 3, Holyoke, on a slew of gun charges Tuesday night after he ran from police near Summer Street.
HOLYOKE - Holyoke police arrested city resident Rafael Rodriguez, 19, of 181 Chestnut St., Apt. 3, on a slew of gun charges Wednesday morning after he ran from police near Summer Street.
According to Holyoke Police Lt. Manny Febo, officers Kristen Leary and Stephen Norton were on patrol when they noticed a group of people loitering and trespassing on stairs along Summer Street Tuesday evening.
"This is a high-crime gang area and the officers dispersed the group and advised them not to trespass," Febo said. "A short time later, the officers drove back by and saw the group loitering again."
Febo said that as the officers approached the group this time, Rodriguez took off running and was allegedly seen reaching into his waistband for something.
"The officers saw him throw a pistol and recovered it," Febo said. "It was a 380-caliber semiautomatic pistol and he has a prior gun arrest."
Rodriguez was taken into custody and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a pistol without an FID card, resisting arrest and trespassing .
He was held while awaiting arraignment in Holyoke District Court later Wednesday.