Pittsfield Police Investigating Armed Robbery

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Convenience Plus, located at 185 Linden St.

According to police, units were dispatched the location on Sunday, June 12, at approximately 2:59 p.m. in response to an alarm. Upon arrival, responding units were met by store employees who reported that the store had been robbed.

According to the clerks, an unidentified man approached the counter, apparently wanting to purchase an item. While the clerk was in the process of completing the transaction, the suspect displayed a handgun and started taking all of the money out of the cash register. After removing the money, the suspect exited the store and ran west on Linden Street.

The suspect was described as black, possibly in his 30s, approximately 6 feet tall, with black hair and a beard.  The suspect was described as wearing all black, with black lettering on the top. The weapon was described as a black handgun.

Detective Diane Caccamo has been assigned as the lead investigator in this case. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. 

Reward Offered in Pittsfield High Theft

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department is investigating a theft of several thousands of dollars from Pittsfield High School. 

The incident is believed to have occurred during a senior "prank night" during the overnight hours of Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26. 

Reports say about $9,000 was removed from a teachers' desk. The stolen funds were intended to be used for senior events including the senior banquet, class trip and prom.

There is a reward of $500 for information leading to the identity of the responsible party or parties. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. 

Former Police Officer Guilty on Child Porn Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former Adams police sergeant pleaded guilty Friday morning in Berkshire Superior Court to 10 counts of child pornography.

Alan C. Vigiard, 46, appeared before Judge Daniel Ford and pleaded guilty to 10 counts of knowlingly possessing visual material of a child depicted in sexual conduct. A single count of lasciviously posing a child in a state of nudity was dismissed at the request of the commonwealth.

Vigiard was released on personal recognizance pending sentencing, which will take place on June 22 at 3 p.m.

The veteran officer was being investigated after a folder with pornographic images was found on a CD sent to the district attorneys. Vigiard was caught viewing pornography on a police computer at the station on Oct. 29, 2009.

He was placed on administrative leave and then resigned. As of last year, he was receiving retirement benefits accrued during his service but will lose those if the retirement board determines his crimes were linked to his employment.

The investigation was conducted by state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and members of the Adams Police Department. 

Superior Court Briefs: April 26

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Tuesday, April 26.

Kareen D. Beckett, 33, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of assault and battery in connections to a November 22, 2009 incident.

Beckett also pleaded guilty to single counts of assault and batter and intimidation of a witness on the same victim - a 50-year-old woman. Those incidents occurred on September 28, 2009 and January 3, 2010.

Ford sentenced Beckett to serve concurrent three to four year at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the rape charges. He was also given concurrent sentences at the Berkshire County House of Corrections on the other charges.

Timothy M. Lewis, 34, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

He was sentenced to a one year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction. Two additional charges of distribution of cocaine and a single count of drug violation in a school zone were dismissed by the state. Lewis was arrested on April 26, 2010.

Superior Court Briefs: April 12 - April 13

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Tuesday, April 12.

Tina Urban, 26, of Wilbraham had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Urban was released on $1,000 cash or $10,000 surety bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Richmond on Feb. 7.

Lawrence Taylor, 33, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of intimidation of a witness and two counts of threat to commit a crime: to wit: murder.

Taylor was released on personal recognizance on the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victims. It is alleged that Taylor threatened two witnesses in a pending criminal case on Jan. 2.

Glen Chadwell, 38, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of failing to register as a sex offender - his second offense.

Chadwell was released on $1,250 bail.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, April 13

Willie McNeil, 31, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of kidnapping, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery and violation of a restraining order.

McNeil was given a suspended two and a half year sentence to the Berkshire County House of Correction on the assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and violation of a restraining order. He was also placed on five years probation on the condition that he continues treatment with the Department of Mental Health, not live in Pittsfield and have no contact with the victim. The kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery charges were placed on file.

Additional charges of burning a dwelling house and armed assault with intent to murder were continues without a change of plea for five years. The charges stem from an incident on January, 23, 2010 involving a 28-year-old woman.