DALTON, Mass. — The District Attorney's office has confirmed that the body found behind the American Legion was Theresa Burke, who had gone missing since early Sunday morning, and that there is nothing suspicious with the death.
"The investigation has revealed there is nothing suspicious with the death," Spokesman Fred Lantz said on Tuesday.
Theresa Burke has been missing since early Sunday morning.
DALTON, Mass. — A body found near the American Legion on Monday morning is believed to be that of Theresa Burke, missing since early Sunday morning.
The young Dalton woman was last seen about 3 a.m. Sunday. The body was found in a wooded area near 258 North St.
Burke had attended a show at Chameleon's in Pittsfield on Saturday night that included a fundraiser for the Berkshire Band-Itz roller derby team of which she was a member.
Burke's family and friends began posting on Facebook that she was missing on Sunday and her mother, Catherine Burke, contacted police. They also searched the neighborhood and passed her picture and information to convenience stores and other places. She was believed to have her cell phone but did not respond to anyone.
According to Facebook posts, she was last seen in Dalton wearing gray yoga pants, black combat boots and a possibly a gray hooded sweat shirt, and that it would be unusual for her not to contact her mother.
Burke, who has a 5-year-old daughter, Madison, would have been 24 on Thanksgiving Day, according to her Facebook page. She was described as a loving mother and daughter, a cheerful person and a good friend.
Her timeline was filled with comments on Sunday pleading with her to call someone, anyone; by mid-morning on Monday, it was filled with condolences and prayers.
Ten people were involved in the two-car crash on Main Road. All were wearing seat belts and only one incurred minor injuries. Both vehicles were totaled.
STAMFORD, Vt. — A Rowe family was involved in a two-car accident on Sunday afternoon when a car driven by the husband was rear-ended by the car driven by the wife.
State Police responded to the accident at about 1 p.m. on Main Road, north of the town center.
According to Trooper Lauren Ronan, both vehicles involved were owned by Clifford Paige, 39 of Rowe. One of the vehicles, a red 1994 Honda Civic coupe was being operated by Paige; the other vehicle involved, a gray 2005 Ford Focus, was being operated by his wife, Mary Paige.
There were four of their children in each vehicle and the conditions were cloudy with drizzle and wet pavement.
The crash occurred when Clifford Paige slammed on his brakes while arguing with his son, said Ronan. Mary Paige was driving behind her husband and was unable to stop her vehicle. She collided into the rear end of the Civic, causing extensive damage to the front end of her vehicle. The collision pushed the Civic into the guard rail, causing extensive damage.
All of the occupants were wearing their seat belts, however, one child was transported to North Adams (Mass.) Regional hospital for a small abrasion and release shortly afterward.
Both vehicles are believed to be totaled. Paige was issued a ticket for stopping on the roadway.
Stamford Fire Department, North Adams Ambulance Service and a Bennington County deputy sheriff also responded to the scene.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, November 4.
Gabriel Cardona, 23, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of assault and battery on a disabled person, assault and battery, assault and batter by means of a dangerous weapon and intimidation of a witness.
He was given an 18 month suspended jail sentence and placed on 18 months probation. He must also perform 96 hours of community service and undergo mental health counseling.
Cardona assaulted two men - ages 20 and 23 - in Pittsfield on June 29, 2012. A single count of assault and battery on a disabled person was dismissed by the state.
William Belcher Jr., 60, of Dalton had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on four counts of larceny over $250 and a single count of caretaker abuse on an elder.
He was released on $2,500 cash or $25,000 surety bail. Belcher allegedly took $6,000 from a 98-year-old woman in Dalton between November 1, 2009 and February 28, 2013.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, November 5.
David Neyer, 24, of Plattsburgh, N.Y. pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape and a abuse of a child.
He was ordered to serve concurrent five to seven years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The incidents occurred in Pittsfield between July 24, 2012 and September 2, 2012 and involved a girl who is now 14 years old.
Richard Jones III, 29, of North Adams pleaded guilty to 15 counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime, 12 counts of larceny over $250, two counts of breaking and entering in the daytime, two counts of larceny from a building, two counts of trespassing and single counts of malicious destruction of personal property, possession of burglarious tools and malicious destruction of personal property under $250.
He was ordered to serve concurrent nine month sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on all charges except for the trespassing and malicious destruction of personal property charge. He was given concurrent 30-day sentences on those charges.
The charges stem from a series of breaks in Williamstown and North Adams between February 12, 2012 and March 19, 2012. A single count of common and notorious thief was dismissed by the state.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, November 6.
Felisa Kazimierczak, 44, of Adams pleaded guilty to single counts of kidnapping, misleading a police officer, filing a false crime report, larceny over $250 and making false entries into corporate books.
She was ordered to serve concurrent two year sentences at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the kidnapping and misleading a police officer charges. She was given two years at the Berkshire County House of Correction to be served on and after the first sentence on the larceny charge. She was given concurrent sentences on the other charges.
Kazimierczak took approximately $60,000 while employed at Greylock Federal Credit Union on March 1, 2012. A single count of embezzlement from a bank was dismissed by the state.
Annette Matta, 24, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of phencyclidine in connection with the execution of a search warrant on her home on September 4, 2013.
She was released on $2,500 cash or $25,000 surety bail.
Davon Fitts, 31, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $1,000 bail. The charge stems from an incident in North Adams on June 15, 2013 and involved a 41 year old man.
Matthieu Cantarella, 29, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of distribution of cocaine, two counts of distribution of oxycodone and a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: distribution of cocaine and oxycodone.
He was released on personal recognizance. Cantarella allegedly sold cocaine on March 15, 2013 and April 2, 2013 and sold oxycodone on March 29, 2013 and April 7, 2013. He also allegedly conspired with others to sell the drugs between March 3, 2013 and April 30, 2013.
James Cantarella, 28, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of attempt to commit a crime, to wit: armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with in incident allegedly occurring in Pittsfield on March 16, 2013. He also had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: distribution of oxycodone for allegedly conspiring with others to sell the drug between March 3, 2013 and April 30, 2013.
He was released on personal recognizance.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, November 8.
Toby Walton, 33, of Dalton had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in heroin and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
He was ordered to be held on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety. The charges stem from a motor vehicle accident in Dalton on October 11, 2013.
Darius Walters, 20, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute - his second offense - and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on October 7, 2013.
Ronald King, 53, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in heroin, operation a motor vehicle with a suspended licenses - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or surety bail. The incident allegedly occurred in Lenox on October 13, 2013.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. – Police, Fire Department and Southern Berkshire Ambulance responded to a motor vehicle accident with multiple injuries on Wednesday night on State Road in front of Plaza Package.
The accident, which was reported at 5:01 p.m., involved a 2003 Subaru operated by Ronald J. Fonte, 44, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and a 2001 Audi operated by Dennis G. Gibbons, 31, of South Egremont.
Fonte was uninjured in the crash; however, Gibbons and his two passengers required treatment at area hospitals. Gibbons and passenger Jeremy Martel, 36, of Sheffield were transported to Fairview Hospital by Southern Berkshire Ambulance. Gibbbons' other passenger, Cody Kickery, 26, of Great Barrington, was transported by Southern Berkshire Ambulance and County Ambulance paramedics to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
No information on their status is available at this time.
Initial investigation by Officer Daniel Bartini revealed that Fonte attempted to turn left into Plaza Package in front of Gibbons' vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision. At this time, no charges have been filed and the accident remains under investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is requested to contact police at 413-528-0306.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City Councilor Paul Capitanio pleaded not guilty to single counts of accessory after the fact, to wit: distribution of oxycodone and conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: possession of oxycodone.
He was released on $500 bail - the same bail transferred from the District Court. Capitanio appeared in court Wednesday after being indicted in Superior Court on the charges.
Capitanio is accused of providing an oxycodone supplier with information concerning the Berkshire County Drug Task Force raised between April 29, 2013 and April 30, 2013. He is also accused of conspiring with others to possess oxycodone between March 3, 2013 and April 30, 2013.
The court set a January 16, 2014 pretrial conference.
The Ward 3 Councilor did not seek reelection but has returned to the City Council after taking one week off after being initially charged.
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Theresa Burke has been missing since early Sunday morning.
