Suspicious vehicle in Chicopee shopping plaza led to arrest of Palmer man on gun and drug charges

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A Palmer man caught driving with a suspended license was arrested and faces several firearm and drug charges.

In a news release from the Chicopee Police Department, at around 3:13 a.m. on Wednesday, officers were conducting a property check due to reports of several break-ins in the past at the Market Square Plaza on Exchange Street. Officers observed a vehicle with its lights off, and as soon as the cruiser drove by, the driver turned its headlights on and pulled out of the parking lot.

Officers conducted a traffic stop for the suspicious vehicle, and the driver was identified as 36-year-old Samuel Sevilla of Palmer. Due to his license suspension, Sevilla was arrested. Officers performed an inventory check inside the vehicle before it was towed and found a loaded handgun along with several rounds of ammunition.

When officers arrived at the police station, Sevilla's phone and a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine were found on the floor in the back seat.

Sevilla is charged with the following:

• Operating with a Suspended License
• Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License
• Possess of Ammunition Without an FID
• Possess Class B Drug
• Possess Firearm With 2 Prior Violent /Drug Crimes
• Carrying a Firearm Without License
• Withhold Evidence From Criminal Proceeding