An investigation led by state police Sgt. Edward Culver, a member of the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office, concluded that no criminal charges are warranted against Officer Martin Streit.
Streit fired three shots from his service weapon after Mark A. Marauszwski, 55, drove his vehicle at the officer, according to police.
A release from Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless' office state that on the morning of Jan. 25, Streit and other Pittsfield officers were involved in a motor vehicle pursuit of Marauszwski, who drove his vehicle into the parking lot and playground at Springside Park. As Marauszwski attempted to drive out of the playground, he drove at Streit, who was out of his patrol car on foot. After repeatedly ordering Marauszwski to stop, Streit fired three shots from his service weapon. Two shots hit the vehicle's windshield, the third shattered the front passenger window. Marauszwski suffered wounds to his hand, forearm and shoulder.
After reviewing the investigatory report, witness statements and the evidence gathered in the case, Culver had concluded that no criminal charges were warranted.
Because criminal charges are pending against Marauszwski as a result of the incident, Capeless stated that it would be inappropriate for him to comment further.
Culver was assisted by other members of the Detective Unit, and state police's Crime Scene Services and Firearms Identification sections, forensic scientists from the State Police Crime Lab as well as the Berkshire County sheriff's office. The Pittsfield Police Department cooperated with and assisted the investigation.
Superior Court Briefs: Jan. 31 - Feb. 2
Staff Reports
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Eric Moore, 31, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of heroin with intent to distribute - his second offense - and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
He was ordered to serve concurrent five to eight years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his Dewey Avenue home on July 17, 2015.
Single counts of armed career felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and improper storage of a firearm were dismissed by the state.
Brooklynne Schneider, 22, of Stephentown, N.Y. pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine in connection to a motor vehicle stop in North Adams on February 26, 2014.
She also pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws in connection to a motor vehicle stop in North Adams on July 23, 2015.
She was ordered to serve concurrent 560 days at the Hampden County House of Correction-Chicopee Woman's Facility on the possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy charges. She was given a one-day sentence on the possession of cocaine charge.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, Feb. 1.
David Taylor, 23, of Adams pleaded guilty to a single count of armed assault with intent to rob a person 60 years of age or older.
He was ordered to serve two and a half to four years with the recommendation that he serve the time at the Berkshire County House of Correction. Taylor attempted to rob a 67-year-old woman at Quadland's Flowers and Gifts in North Adams on June 21, 2016.
Brian O'Neil, 28, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and single counts of trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in heroin, trafficking in oxymorphone, trafficking in cocaine, and possession of psilocybin.
He was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on December 14, 2016.
Joseph Stone, 38, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of assault with intent to commit rape.
He was released on personal recognizance. The incident allegedly occurred on October 23, 2016 in Pittsfield and involved a 41-year-old woman.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Bryce Ciepiela, 19, of Hinsdale pleaded guilty to a single count of reckless endangerment of a child.
He was ordered to serve six months of a one-year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction and placed on 18 months probation.
Ciepiela knew of injuries to a 2-month-old baby but failed to get help in Hinsdale on December 31, 2015.
Heath Delratez, 41, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of manslaughter by negligence and caretaker abuse of a disabled person.
He was released on personal recognizance. Delratez is accused of failing to take adequate care of his brother, Lee Delratez, who died in North Adams on January 18, 2015 at the age of 40.
Jessica Kemp, 27, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of manslaughter by negligence and caretaker abuse of a disabled person.
She was released on personal recognizance. Kemp is accused of failing to take adequate care of a family member, Lee Delratez, who died in North Adams on January 18, 2015 at the age of 40.
Pittsfield Police Seeking Information on Appleton Ave Shooting
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating another shooting incident in the city that injured a teenager.
According to a press release by Lt. Gary Traversa, police responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Appelton Avenue and East Street shortly after midnight on Sunday morning.
Patrol units canvassed the area for witnesses, victims or suspects. About 55 minutes later, police were notified that a 17-year-old boy was being treated at Berkshire Medical Center's Emergency Department for gunshot wounds to his leg. The victim was treated and released.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. Information can be provided anonymously through the drug tip line at 413-448-9708, by texting PITTIP and a message to TIP411 (847411).
UPDATED: Pittsfield Pursuit Ends With Officer Firing on Vehicle
By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
UPDATED: Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6:45 p.m.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district attorney's office says 55-year-old Mark Marauszwski, of Pittsfield, is in stable condition after being shot by a Pittsfield Police officer Wednesday morning at Rotary Park.
Marauszwski allegedly led police on a chase throughout the city's center Wednesday morning, ending at Rotary Park on Springside Avenue. There he was shot by Officer Martin Streit, according to the district attorney's office.
Marauszwski was transferred to Berkshire Medical Center and is now in stable condition.
Authorities said Office David Hallas had pulled over the sports utility vehicle Marauszwski was driving on Bartlett Avenue around 9:09 a.m. He allegedly struck Hallas with the door of the vehicle and then sped off.
Hallas and other officers, including Streit, chased the vehicle through the center of the city and into the parking lot of Rotary Park.
The district attorney's office says at the park Marauszwski drove at Streit, who was outside of the cruiser. Streit then fired three shots from his service weapon at the vehicle, two of which struck the vehicle and one hitting Marauszwski. The Mercedes that Marauszwski was driving came to a stop as it crashed into a cement post.
Officer administered first aid to Marauszwski and he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. He was treated in the Emergency Department and placed under arrest. He faces charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, operating after a suspension, failure to stop for a police officer, and two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.
State police assigned to the district attorney's office are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The pursuit ended at Rotary Park on Springside Avenue.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A routine traffic stop on Bartlett Avenue on Wednesday morning turned into a police pursuit through the center of the city that resulted in an officer firing on the vehicle.
Police Chief Michael Wynn said the incident occurred at about 9:09 a.m. when officers reported that the stop had turned into a pursuit.
"Within 5 minutes, we were informed by the involved officers that they were involved in a scene of shots fired and the suspect was in custody," the chief said at the scene outside Rotary Park on Springside Avenue.
The pursuit ended when the driver of the vehicle tried to cut through the park and struck a cement barrier post.
Both the officer and the individual in the motor vehicle were taken to Berkshire Medical Center according to protocol, he said.
Wynn declined at this point to say if anyone had been injured, citing the active investigation.
"What we believe at this time is one officer fired his weapon at the vehicle that was involved in the pursuit," he said, and that only one person was in the vehicle.
Springside Avenue is currently closed between Glenwood Avenue and Brown Street.
Wynn said state police from the Cheshire barracks are helping to cover the city with patrols as Pittsfield Police Department works the investigation. The city has also requested the aid of the state police detective unit assigned to the district attorney's office.
"There's obviously so many of our people involved," he said. "Our crime scene unit and our traffic unit will be mapping the scene for the state police."
Any further information, Wynn said, will come through the district attorney's office.
Four Arrested After Pittsfield Shooting
Staff Reports
Four individuals were detained at gunpoint by police on Monday after reports of shots fired. Above is one of two weapons found inside their vehicle.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four individuals were arrested Monday night after a shooting in the Lincoln Street area.
Police say Devin Newman, 27, of Pittsfield, Derrick Saunders, 21, of Pittsfield, Terry Martizna, 26, of Lanesborough, and Justin Luis Lopez, 22, of Bronx, N.Y., were arrested on gun-related charges.
Police Sgt. Nicholas DeSantis heard numerous gun shots at about 9:45 p.m. from where his cruiser was parked near Silver Lake Boulevard. He then alerted other officers who quickly went to the area.
DeSantis saw a vehicle speeding onto Second Street from Orchard Street, which he recognized from an earlier report of shots fired. He turned his lights on to stop the vehicle and it drove to the rear of a Second Street residence. The four occupants were detained at gunpoint by DeSantis and additional officers arrived on scene.
Police found two handguns inside the vehicle and the four were arrested. A search of a section of Orchard Street found 11 shell casing. The incident remains under investigation.
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