Chicopee traffic stop leads to chase and firearm arrest

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A routine traffic stop turned into a high-speed chase and ultimately led to the arrest of two individuals, one of whom was found in possession of a loaded firearm.

On Tuesday, around 5:00 p.m., an officer monitoring traffic at the intersection of Grattan St. and Meadow St. in Chicopee observed a white Jeep SUV that had been reported stolen. Upon activating emergency blue lights to begin a traffic stop, the officer witnessed the operator veer to the right side of the road. However, instead of stopping, the operator accelerated at a high rate of speed, entering I-391 South.

The pursuit continued onto I-391 S to Exit 3, where the vehicle exited and promptly re-entered I-391 North. As the vehicle approached Exit 4, it exited the highway and collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Grattan and Meadow St. Both the operator and passenger took off on foot.

Bystanders assisted the officer in locating the passenger, who was subsequently taken into custody. Due to the passenger’s age, their name will not be disclosed.

Meanwhile, other officers were alerted to a Massachusetts State Police trooper pursuing an individual matching the description of the operator on Skeele St. This individual, later identified as Alexis Figueroa , an 18-year-old from Chicopee, was arrested and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm.

Figueroa faces multiple charges, including:

• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Fail to Stop for Police
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Receiving Stolen Property
• Carrying a Firearm Without a License
• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card
• Disturbance While Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Resisting Arrest

The juvenile passenger was also charged with Receiving Stolen Property.

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