Springfield traffic stop leads to arrest of impaired driver with drugs and illegal firearm

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A routine traffic stop for cell phone use escalated into a significant arrest when Massachusetts State Police troopers discovered an impaired driver in possession of drugs and an illegal firearm.

On the afternoon of March 9, Mass State Trooper Jonathan Blanchard, patrolling Armory Street at Route 291 in Springfield, spotted a Nissan Altima without a front license plate. Upon closer observation, he noticed the driver holding an electronic device in front of his face.

Blanchard pulled over the Nissan and approached the operator, who handed over a Massachusetts driver’s license. A routine check revealed that the license had been suspended, prompting officers to remove the driver from the vehicle.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers discovered a magnum .22 caliber revolver, fully loaded, concealed in a pouch worn by the driver. It was evident that the driver lacked a license to carry a firearm, leading to immediate arrest.

Further inspection of the vehicle uncovered additional contraband, including an unsealed bag of marijuana, an open can of “THC soda,” and a plastic container containing cocaine.

The driver, identified as Robert Arnold, 38, of Springfield, was brought to the Springfield Barracks for processing. Upon searching Arnold’s personal belongings, a second Massachusetts driver’s license was found, revealing that Arnold had provided false identity information. Arnold’s true identity was confirmed through fingerprinting.

Arnold was arraigned in Springfield District Court on multiple charges, including:

• Unlicensed Possession Of A Firearm;
• Possession Of Ammunition Without FID;
• Carrying A Loaded Firearm;
• Possession Of Cocaine;
• OUI Drugs;
• Operator’s Refusal To Properly Identify;
• Operation With A Suspended License;
• Operation While Holding An Electronic Device;
• Number Plate Violation; and
• Failure To Wear Seatbelt.