Springfield Police used pepper spray to control a large crowd at a block party on Reynolds Street early Sunday morning around 2 am. Police estimate that 500 to 1,000 people were attending at the party.

While patrolling, police report that 27-year-old Orlando Alexander of Peoria appeared nervous and then began to run away while holding an object in his front waist band. Officers chased Alexander and a loaded Canik TP9 9mm handgun slid from Alexander’s waist band and into the street. Another person in the crowd attempted to pick up the handgun but dropped it when ordered by officers.

While Alexander reportedly resisted arrest, reports indicate the crowd closed in around the arresting officers. The pepper spray dispersed the crowd, and Alexander was arrested. Alexander is a current parolee and was arrested for unlawful possession of weapon by convicted felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on person, and obstructing/resisting an arrest.  No injuries were reported.