WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Police Department is investigating a series of break-ins at businesses on Water Street and Main Street that occurred late Friday or early Saturday morning.
Town Manager Peter Fohlin was asked about the crime spree at Monday's meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
"I didn't mention it [in the Town Manager's Report] because I don't usually comment on cases under investigation," Fohlin said in response to a question from Selectman Hugh Daley. "But what you said is true. Chief [Kyle] Johnson tells me they have a person of interest."
According to reports received by iBerkshires.com, businesses affected by the break-ins include U:A Fine Hair Studio, the American Legion, Redstone Properties and Hot Tomatoes on Water Street and Olympic Pizza on Main Street.
The perpetrators apparently broke windows or jimmied doors to get into several buildings. One of the building owners believed the target had been cash since electronics and other items had reportedly been left behind.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, October 14.
Charles Katz, 49, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to two counts of drug violation in a school zone and single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of lorazepam.
He was released on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail pending sentencing on Nov. 25. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Appleton Avenue in Pittsfield on February 27, 2014.
Kelly O'Laughlin, 35, of Cheshire had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on two counts of receiving stolen property over $250, and single counts of breaking and entering a building in the daytime, and larceny in a building.
She was released on personal recognizance. O'Laughlin allegedly took $80,000 from a Dalton home on September 4, 2013.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, October 16.
Marcel Teixeira-Ingram, 19, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of armed robbery.
He was released on $1,000 cash or $10,000 surety bail. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on August 20, 2014 and involved an 18-year-old man.
Jason Gendron, 35, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to six counts of rape and abuse of a child aggravated by an age difference, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.
He was ordered to be held on $100,000 cash or $1 million surety bail pending sentencing on October 28.
The incidents occurred in Pittsfield between August 25, 2011 and March 1, 2013. The three victims are girls now aged 6,8 and 15.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, October 20.
Heather Shurtleff, 37, of Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of reckless endangerment of a child and intimidation of a witness.
She was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident in Adams and involved a 14-year-old girl. The incident allegedly occurred between February 6, 2011 and May 20, 2014.
Daniel Chao, 38, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of fraudulent use of a medical marijuana registration card, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of tetrahydrocannabinols with intent to distribute.
He was released on $2,500 bail. Chao allegedly fraudulently used a medical marijuana registration card to cultivate and possess marijuana and has oil with intent to distribute. The incident allegedly occurred in North Adams on October 9, 2013.
Jerry Campagna, 61, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on four counts of uttering a false prescription, three counts of possession oxycodone and a single count of possession of morphine.
He was released on personal recognizance. Campagna allegedly used false prescriptions to procure the drugs between December 13, 2013 and January 23, 2014 in Lenox.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, October 21.
Nakiba Browne, 30, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of manufacturing heroin - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $15,000 cash or $150,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on September 19, 2014.
James Dominguez III, of Springfield, had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws, and single counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of heroin with intent to distribute - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield on September 25, 2014.
Robert Ester, 26, of Springfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws and single counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of heroin with intent to distribute - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield on September 25, 2014.
Richard Holliman, 40, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws and single counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of morphine with intent to distribute - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $100,000 cash or $1 million surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on October 1, 2014.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, October 22.
Amena Smith, 36, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws and single counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of morphine with intent to distribute - her second offense.
She was ordered to be held at the Hampden County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at her home on October 1, 2014.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, October 24.
Anthony Johnson, 31, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on five counts of distribution of cocaine and single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $100,000 cash or surety bail. The incidents allegedly occurred in Pittsfield between June 29, 2011 and January 30, 2012.
State Police say the confiscated 83 bags of heroin as the result of a traffic stop on State Street in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A North Adams woman is facing multiple drug charges after a routine police stop turned up 83 bags of heroin.
State Police arrested Cassandra McInnis, 26, at about 5:25 p.m. on Saturday.
Trooper Thomas Cusak of the Cheshire Barracks said he was on patrol on State Street when his attention was drawn to McInnis' 1999 Chevrolet sedan. As a result of a motor vehicle stop and subsequent investigation by Trooper Cusak, with the assistance of Trooper Zachary Wood, McGinnis was arrested and charged with the following:
1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A Narcotics (heroin)
2) Intent to distribute narcotics within a school/park zone
3) Being present where heroin is kept
4) Conspiracy to violate the narcotics law
5) Various motor vehicle violations
Editor's note: According to North Adams Police, Joshua Allen was not arrested by New York State Police on Monday. This information was given erroneously because of a "communication error." There is still a warrant out for Allen's arrest.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A man wanted in connection with a machete attack in North Adams has been apprehended by New York State Police.
North Adams Police reported shortly after 4 p.m. Monday that Joshua Allen, 27, had been taken into custody after a nearly three-day search.
A warrant for Joshua Allen, 27, was issued Saturday after Allen allegedly attacked his domestic partner in the early morning hours at their Montana Street residence and fled. He was believed to be driving a gray or silver 2002 Toyota Celica with no license plates to New York State, where he reportedly had connections.
A police alert cautioned people not to approach Allen if sighted but to immediately contact police.
Allen is described as white, standing 6-feet and weighing approximately 200 pounds. Anyone with information on Allen's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4944 (press option 1).
He is expected to be arraigned on charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a knife), strangulation, malicious destruction of property and cruelty to animals.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Police, which described the victim as a commuter student, contacted city police after learning of the off-campus incident.
The incident is under investigation by the North Adams Police Department and Berkshire County district attorney's office.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are looking for a 53-year-old Pittsfield woman who went missing on Sunday.
Police say Ann Jorn went missing yesterday. In a Monday morning Facebook post, Police said that Jorn's husband, Charles Kronick, reported that she was going to a reservoir on October Mountain and never returned.
Jorn may be operating a brown Hyundai Elantra with the license plate of 4496XK.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 413-448-9700.
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State Police say the confiscated 83 bags of heroin as the result of a traffic stop on State Street in North Adams.
