Springfield Police working with the District Attorney's Violent Offender Task Force make a traffic stop and got more than they were expecting. Police say 22 year old Nathan Mercado was known to them. He was wearing a court ordered GPS bracelet. When police first pulled him over they found a gun under the front seat. Wanting to arrest the suspect, police say Mercado struck them, trying to avoid arrest. He was then subdued. During the resulting search they found a loaded gun---with sixteen rounds of armor piercing ammo.
On Tuesday afternoon members of District Attorney Gulluni’s Violent Offender Task Force and Springfield Police Officers arrested 22 year old Nathan Mercado. Officers and Task Force members from the Massachusetts State Police & West Springfield Police Department seized two illegally possessed firearms from Mr. Mercado as well.
Mercado was booked on a variety of charges.
. Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a public way (2 Counts)
· Possession of a Firearm without a FID Card - Subsequent Offense (2 Counts)
· Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
· Assault & Battery on a Police Officer (2 Counts)
· Resisting Arrest
· Carrying a Firearm without a License (2 Counts)
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni stated, “My office is focused on promoting community safety by leading local, state, and federal law enforcement to focus on the most violent and repeat offenders. This arrest removes a dangerous individual from our streets and prevents further acts of violence and lawlessness. We will continue to employ smart and aggressive strategies in protecting our neighborhoods.”
“This is just another example of why GPS bracelets don’t deter violent repeat offenders from carrying guns or commiting crimes. For the good of the citizens of Springfield and the safety of our officers we hope that he is held pending trial in these two open cases. Those armor piercing bullets can go right through a protective vest and the large capacity firearms can fire an abundance of bullets in mere seconds. I thank D.A. Gulluni and the State Police for the continued partnership we have to keep our residents safe in the city of Springfield,” said Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “ Unfortunately, our court system continues its “revolving door” practices of allowing these gun toting miscreants back on our streets and in our neighborhoods – just plain unacceptable and my residents and business community do not deserve it or appreciate it!”
(Photo Credit: Springfield Police Department)