SPRINGFIELD — A 48-year-old Springfield man was arrested Tuesday after police responded to a gun call near Hennessy Park and recovered a large-capacity firearm, heroin, and crack cocaine, according to the Springfield Police Department.
In a press release, Springfield police said that at approximately 11:05 a.m. on May 27, 2025, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Oak Grove Avenue for a report of a man with a gun. Officers located a subject matching the description in Hennessy Park. When they attempted to speak with the man—later identified as Gregory Rodriguez Jr.—he allegedly fled on foot while clutching an item in his waistband.
During the chase, police say Rodriguez tossed an item over a fence, which was later recovered and identified as a loaded firearm with a 12-round magazine.
Photo Credit: Springfield Police Department
Officers apprehended Rodriguez on the 0–100 block of Kenyon Street and placed him under arrest. A subsequent search allegedly revealed approximately 110 bags of heroin and 17 rocks of packaged crack cocaine.
Rodriguez was charged with:
- Carrying a loaded large-capacity firearm on a public way
- Carrying a firearm without a license
- Possession of a large-capacity firearm during the commission of a felony (two counts)
- Firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes
- Improper storage of a large-capacity firearm
- Possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug (subsequent offense)
- Possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug (subsequent offense)
- Drug violation near a school or park
