SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police officers arrested three suspects and seized a large capacity firearm in connection with an armed robbery Wednesday between 10:45 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Around 10:30 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Real-Time Analysis Center observed armed individuals on city cameras in the area of School and High Streets assaulting a victim.
Springfield Police Detectives began reviewing video as officers converged on the area and saw a suspect toss a firearm under a car.
Officers arrived and located a firearm under a vehicle near High and Myrtle Streets.
Officers then caught up to and detained Manuel Torres on Myrtle Street, who was identified as the suspect who tossed the firearm, and placed him under arrest.
Additional officers located the victim who suffered serious head injuries.
The victim stated he was robbed of a television during the incident and struck with the bottom of the firearm several times.
Crime analysts then informed officers that a second suspect was on High Street.
Officers located the suspect, later identified as Denis Rivera, and placed him under arrest.
Crime analysts then observed a third suspect who was in possession of a knife.
Officers located Jordan Lazu near Myrtle and High Streets with two knives, and placed him under arrest.
The victim was transported to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
The firearm recovered was loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition and capable of holding 15 rounds.
Manuel Torres, 27, of Springfield is charged with improper storage of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded large capacity firearm on a public way, firearm-armed and masked robbery, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and conspiracy.
Denis Rivera, 45, of Springfield is charged with firearm-armed and masked robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, conspiracy, and possession of a Class E drug.
Jordan Lazu, 30, of Springfield is charged with firearm-armed and masked robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and conspiracy.
