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Over the past month, members of the Springfield Police Department Metro Unit and Narcotics Unit have been investigating an apartment on the 0-100 block of Pearl Street for the distribution of narcotics.
Early on Saturday, June 26, detectives conducting surveillance of the apartment spotted behavior consistent with drug sales taking place, and shortly before 12 p.m., Springfield resident Isaias Diaz, who is known to police, removed an object believed to be a gun that was placed in the trunk of a car.
Police said that when the car began to drive away from the Pearl Street location, Diaz, who does not have a valid driver’s license, was in the driver’s seat, prompting a traffic stop by investigators.
According to police, Diaz initially stopped his car, at which point Springfield resident Erik Torres, his passenger, got out of the car and was placed under arrest.
Diaz then allegedly refused to get out of the car, hit the gas, crashing into a police cruiser, at which point officers were able to apprehend him.
While Diaz was being taken into custody, police said that a second passenger in the backseat, Springfield resident Neftali Marcial-Matias, attempted to run away from the scene, leading to a foot chase that led officers back to the Pearl Street apartment.
Police said that Marcial-Matias attempted to barricade himself inside the apartment before officers took him into custody without incident.
At the time he was arrested, Marcial-Matias was in possession of a bundle of heroin and more than $200 in cash on his person.
The investigation led to a seizure of two half-packs of heroin in the glove box of Diaz’s vehicle, and the gun - which was reported stolen out of Springfield - was located in the trunk where detectives had seen it placed.
According to police, at approximately 1:20 p.m. on that same day, the Springfield Police Department’s Real-Time Analysis Center (R-TAC) Unit alerted officers of an active breaking and entering situation that was happening at the same Pearl Street apartment.
Responding officers returned to the apartment, where they found Springfield resident Jonathan Valerio-Ruiz, age 24, leaving the residence and walking toward his car with a garbage bag that was filled with sneakers.
Valerio-Ruiz was taken into custody and a search of his vehicle led to the seizure of cash, edible marijuana, and approximately 30 grams of cocaine.
A second suspect, Springfield resident Jan Torres, was also involved in the breaking and entering incident and was also placed under arrest.
Diaz, age 22, was charged with:
- Carrying a firearm without a license with a previous offense;
- Carrying a firearm without a license;
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony;
- Carrying a loaded firearm without a license;
- Improper storage of a firearm;
- Firearm violation with two prior violent/drug crimes;
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
- Conspiracy to violate drug law;
- Possession with the intent to distribute a Class A drug;
- Receiving stolen property with a value less than $1,200.
Marcial-Matias, age 24, and Erik Torres, age 22, were charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug.
Jan Torres, age 23, was charged with breaking and entering during the day for a felony, and larceny from a building.
Valerio-Ruiz was charged with breaking and entering during the day for a felony, trafficking cocaine, and larceny from a building.
No return court date has been announced for the five suspects. Check Daily Voice for new information as it is released.
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