SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Two suspects are facing charges after a gun and drugs were found in a vehicle.

On Monday, investigators saw a vehicle near the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Bay Street in Springfield that they believed was involved in at least three shootings in the city, according to Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh. The driver, 20-year-old Jadon Cruz of Springfield, pulled into a Bay Street gas station, but couldn’t find a place to park. As police approached his vehicle, Cruz allegedly sped off.

Police allege that Cruz sped down city streets, crossed over double yellow lines, cut between cars, and failed to stop at red lights or stop signs. “On Daviston Street, Cruz is alleged to have purposedly rammed an occupied vehicle to gain space, but did not succeed,” Walsh explained, adding that Cruz then got out of the car and ran away.

When officers approached the vehicle, they encountered 22-year-old Asheeam Taylor of Springfield in the passenger seat and reportedly found $276 in cash and marijuana packaged to sell in his fanny pack. They also found a loaded gun under the passenger seat. Taylor was arrested on charges including carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession with the intent to distribute a Class D drug.

In an effort to locate Cruz, authorities went to his Island Pond Road neighborhood and asked residents to call if they saw him return home. Police later spotted him along the 100 block of Island Pond Road and arrested him on charges including operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident with injuries. Walsh noted that Cruz also had open firearms charges out of Chicopee District Court.

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