4 arrested after robberies, shooting of security guard

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield police have arrested three men and one woman who they believe are responsible for two armed robberies, including one in which a college security guard was shot in the leg.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that Julian Roberts, 18, Azekiel A. Rodney, 20, Samuel Eady, 23, and Quiyaim Traynham, 19, all of Springfield, face several charges including armed robbery and armed assault with intent to murder.

According to Delaney, police were called around 11:00 after three men approached the owner and an employee of the Summitt Package Store on Pine Street and demanded the bags that they were carrying. One of the men showed a weapon, and the victims surrendered the bags, which were filled with groceries.

The victims reported that the three got away in a red Dodge Durango with a woman driving.

Less than half an hour later, Delaney says police were called after a 55 year-old Springfield College Security guard was shot in the leg near Hickory Street and Eastern Avenue. The bullet passed through one leg and entered the other.

Delaney says that the same three suspects came out of a Dodge Durango, demanded the contents of the bag the man was carrying (it was his lunch), and took the bag after shooting the victim.

The security guard is listed in good condition at Baystate Medical Center.

Extra officers were called in to search the neighborhood, and the SUV was spotted on Bay Street. Police pulled the Dodge over, and arrested the four suspects. Inside, Delaney says officers found a 357 revolver, as well as the security guard’s lunch, and the potato chips and strawberry milk stolen in the Pine Street robbery.

The four suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court.

Even though the suspects have been caught, Springfield College spokesperson Steve Roulier told 22News that they are doing what they can so that students and workers feel safe.

“We’re constantly reminding our students and staff and faculty to travel in pairs and be safe, and we’re doing whatever we can as far as campus safety; to make sure we have blue lights on campus, and doing the right things to continue to make our campus as safe as possible,” Springfield College Spokesperson Steve Roulier said.