A late-night property check at a Maple Street apartment in Holyoke escalated into a major weapons and drug bust, resulting in the arrest of a man now facing multiple felony charges.
At a Glance
- Holyoke man arrested after police seized over 100 rounds of ammunition
- Incident took place during a 12:25 a.m. property check at 456 Maple Street
- Two suspects fled the scene; one tried to escape through a window
- Police recovered suspected heroin, firearm components, and a knife
- Arrested man faces drug and weapons charges, including trespassing and B&E
Fleeing the Scene: The Initial Encounter
At approximately 12:25 a.m., officers with the Holyoke Police Department were conducting a routine property check at 456 Maple Street when they observed two men suddenly flee up a staircase. One suspect, wearing a ski mask, was found inside a vacant apartment, while the second was caught attempting to climb out a window. Officers safely pulled him back inside and secured the scene.
According to Yahoo News, the situation intensified when one of the fleeing individuals dropped three bags suspected to contain heroin, prompting a more thorough investigation of the area.
Discovery: Drugs, Ammunition, and Armaments
Following the initial pursuit, police identified one of the suspects as 28-year-old Geruis Rodriguez-Tejada, a resident of Holyoke. A search of Rodriguez-Tejada’s belongings uncovered a disturbing cache: over 100 rounds of ammunition, two firearm magazines, a gun barrel, and a knife. As reported by WWLP 22 News, the items were found inside his book bag, compounding the severity of the incident.
Legal Repercussions: Charges Filed
Rodriguez-Tejada was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including unlawful possession of ammunition without a Firearm Identification (FID) card, possession of a Class A drug (as a subsequent offense), breaking and entering at night for felony purposes, and trespassing.
These charges underscore the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in urban areas like Holyoke, where illegal firearm possession and narcotics activity frequently intersect. Police emphasized that the seizure prevented potential harm to the public and praised the quick response of the officers on the scene.
As the investigation continues, Rodriguez-Tejada remains in custody pending arraignment, with prosecutors expected to seek high bail due to the seriousness of the offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers even routine police calls can uncover.
