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West Springfield Man Arrested in Adams Incident
Update Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012: The North Adams Transcript is reporting that James V. Bourdon was released on personal recognizance Tuesday after appearing in Northern Berkshire District Court. Bourdon reportedly had taped a note to his car saying it was rigged to explode. A carbon dioxide tank and jumper cables were also discovered in the car. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Dec. 12. |
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Above, police remove a rifle from James V. Bourdon's car on Park Street. Left, Fire Chief Paul Goyette, left, and Police Chief Donald Poirot explained the situation to reporters Sunday afternoon. |
James V. Bourdon, 59, of Highland Avenue in West Springfield has been charged with lewdness, open and gross indecent exposure and possession of an unsecured loaded weapon in his vehicle, which was parked in front of the Daily Grind.
Park Street was closed from 7:50 until 11:38 a.m. after officers responding to a report of a person acting suspiciously in a parked car "observed some things that aroused their suspicion," Adams Police Chief Donald Poirot said in a 1 p.m. news conference.
Eventually the State Police bomb squad was called to the scene and area residents were evacuated. But — without revealing what was found in the car — Poirot indicated that the situation was not as potentially disastrous as many may have feared.
"There were several things in the vehicle, but there was not anything that — at this time — indicates that it could have caused any major catastrophe to the community," Poroit said.
Both Poirot and Adams Fire Chief Paul Goyette said the road closure and evacuation were necessary precautions and steps they would take again in the same circumstances.
Police were first called at 6:58 Sunday morning with a report of a "suspicious person in a motor vehicle," Poirot said. Officers Thomas Cook and Joshua Baker responded to the report and arrested Bourdon.
 Park Street was evacuated Sunday because of the threat. |
The State Police bomb squad was brought in by helicopter. After the area was cleared just before noon, the bomb squad was recalled to the eastern end of the commonwealth, where it was scheduled to supply routine support during Sunday's home game for the New England Patriots, Goyette said.
Bourdon was in the Adams lockup on Sunday afternoon. He had not been arraigned, no bail was set and he did not have legal representation at the time of Sunday afternoon's news conference, Poirot said.
Poirot said Bourdon did not have a criminal record before Sunday. It is believed he was in Adams to visit family in the area.
The state fire marshal's office is conducting an investigation. Poirot said he and Goyette were not at liberty to discuss what was found in Bourdon's vehicle, other than to say there was a licensed but loaded and unsecured firearm that led to one of the charges against Bourdon.
"It was a case of erring on the side of caution for the community," Goyette said. "When the situation presented itself, there was enough of a thought in my mind for public safety, and we're always going to err on the side of public safety in this community.
"The people on Park Street were asked to evacuate, as Chief Poirot said, several businesses were closed down, and a [First Congregational] church service was canceled."
The Adams Visitors Center was opened for evacuees.
 An armored officer examines the suspect vehicle. |
Poirot also dispelled a rumor that Bourdon had made statements to authorities indicating he had a bomb.
"When State Fire Marshal Mike Mazza arrived on the scene, and Chief Goyette and I debriefed him on the situation and what we were dealing with, he made the statement, 'Textbook,' " Poirot said. "That made me feel real proud of everything that was taking place and how it was handled and making sure nobody was injured."
This article is an update from a brief posted earlier Sunday that relayed unconfirmed reports of a bomb threat. The headline has been adjusted to indicate there was no threat made of using an explosive device.
Superior Court Briefs: November 5 - November 9
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Ryan Yon, 24, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle in the nighttime, larceny over $250 and conspiracy to commit larceny over $250.
He was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on July 20, 2011.
Scott Van Zandt, 30, of Lee had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of breaking and entering a building in the daytime, larceny from a building and larceny over $250.
He was released on $2,500 bail. Van Zandt allegedly broke into a building and took approximately $75,000. The incident allegedly occurred in Lee on July 1, 2011 and July 19, 2011.
John Meyette, 30, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle in the nighttime, larceny over $250 and conspiracy to commit larceny over $250.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $100 bail. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on July 20, 2011.
Donald Mayotte, 47, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of operating under the influence of alcohol - his 5th offense - operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and failure to stop for a stop sign.
He was released on $2,500 bail. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on Sept. 11.
Myles Handy, 18, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
He was released on personal recognizance. The charge stems from the execution of a search warrant at his home on Sept. 19.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, November 6.
Ansel Sparrow, 22, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and single counts of armed home invasion, armed assault with intent to rob and conspiracy to commit armed robbery while masked.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail. Sparrow allegedly assaulted and attempted to rob a 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman in Pittsfield on Sept. 10.
Walter Harris, 24, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, illegal ownership of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm and possession of counterfeit bills.
He was released on $2,000 cash or $20,000 surety. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on Sept. 26.
Anthony Green, 26, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
He was released on $1,500 cash or $15,000 surety bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at 466 Fenn Street in Pittsfield on Sept. 26.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, November 7.
Martini Martin, 29, of Englewood, N.J. pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of OxyContin with intent to distribute and two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: possession of OxyContin with intent to distribute.
Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on February 19, 2013. He was released on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail. Martin possessed the drug with the intent to sell it and conspired with others between April 2, 2010 and May 6, 2010.
Justine Gardner, 26, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250 and conspiracy to commit larceny over $250.
She was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on July 20, 2011.
Kevin Andrews, 46, of Hinsdale had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on nine counts of making a false health care claim, nine counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: uttering a false prescription.
Andrews allegedly conspired with others to obtain prescription drugs and did obtain the drugs through the use of a fraudulent prescription. The incidents allegedly occurred in Pittsfield between March 14, 2011 and August 13, 2011.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, November 8.
Kristen Whiteley, 34, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on her behalf on a single count of attempt to commit a crime, to wit: fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance.
She was released on personal recognizance. Whiteley allegedly attempted to obtain a prescription drug through the use of a fraudulent prescription in Pittsfield on August 30, 2011.
Jennifer Stall, 30, of Chatham, N.Y. had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on eight counts of making a false health care claim, eight counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: uttering a false prescription.
Stall allegedly conspired with others to obtain prescription drugs and did obtain the drugs through the use of a fraudulent prescription. The incidents allegedly occurred in Pittsfield between March 14, 2011 and August 30, 2011.
Rafael Martinez, 53, of North Adams pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: distribution of methadone. He was given a two-year suspended sentence to the Berkshire County House of Correction and placed on two years probation. The incident occurred in Adams on November 20, 2010.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, November 9.
Arthur Russell Jr., 43, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on seven counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 after certain offenses and three counts of rape of a child after certain offenses.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail. Russell allegedly sexually assaulted two girls, ages 8 and 9, in Pittsfield between August 15, 2011 and September 23, 2012.
Shane Rohane, 29, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and a single count of assault and battery on a person over the age of 60.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charges stem from an altercation in North Adams on Oct. 4 where Rohane allegedly beat up a 60-year-old man and assaulted two men - ages 30 and 21.
Emmet Harvin, 38, of New Ashford had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, two counts of improper storage of a firearm and single counts of trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in oxycodone, distribution of heroin - his second offense - conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of a firearm with prior offenses for violent crimes of serious drug offenses.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $50,000 bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on Oct. 9.
Charles Crisp, 30, of Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, two counts of receiving stolen property over $250 and single counts of breaking and entering a building in the daytime and conspiracy.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $100 bail as Crisp is currently serving time on another matter. The charges stem from a house break in in Cheshire on April 18, 2012.
Stamford Fire Department Douses Early Morning Structure Fire
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The couple renting the home was alerted to the fire by their daughter, who smelled smoke before working smoke detectors in the home sounded. The family evacuated the home and called 911.
When the fire company arrived at 2:28 a.m., firefighters found the wall behind the fireplace was on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and parts of the wall and ceiling were removed to check for fire extension.
"The cause of the fire is still under investigation, however, it is believed to have been caused by a faulty chimney liner," said Fire Chief Paul Ethier.
Twenty firefighters from Stamford responded to the call as did firefighters from Readsboro and Clarksburg, Mass. The North Adams Ambulance Service was also on scene but there were no injuries. All units cleared the scene at 4:31 a.m.
County's Special Response Team Gets New Armored Vehicle
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Photo courtesy of Pittsfield Police Department.
The new vehicle was picked up by law enforcement on Wednesday.
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On Wednesday, law enforcement agents picked up a new and locally built BearCat armored vehicle.
The new truck is now the primary vehicle for deployment in such events as high-risk search warrants, active shooters, workplace or school shootings, officer rescue and barricaded gunmen.
The bullet-proof vehicle allows county Special Response Team members to approach a situation safely, according to Police Chief Michael Wynn.
The former vehicle will now be moved to another part of the county and act as a backup. That one is 10 years old and needed replacement, Wynn said.
"This truck was bought with Western Mass Homeland Security Council money," Wynn said.
The $300,000 vehicle is being hosted by the city but is available to other municipalities and will be ready to be deployed as early as Thursday night. The truck is only used in certain situations.
"We're very excited. It's been a long process for us," Wynn said.
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The team was looking for a replacement truck for a while but it wasn't until they realized three other law enforcement agencies were looking for the same thing that they teamed up.
The state negotiated a bulk purchase with Pittsfield's own Lenco Armored Vehicles for the three departments.
From there, the Western Mass team secured money from the Homeland Security Council, which reallocated funds to make it happen.
Superior Court Briefs: October 31 - November 1
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Ciro Reyes-Palma, 41, of Great Barrington was found guilty by a jury on four counts of rape of a child with force, one count of assault on a child with intent to commit rape and six counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
Judge Agostini issued a default warrant for Reyes-Palma, who failed to appear in court Monday morning. The jury found that Reyes-Palma sexually assaulted a girl who is now 15 years old in Great Barrington between April 1, 2009 and January 13, 2011.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, November 1.
Anthony Teti Jr., 31, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on four counts of larceny from a building, four counts of receiving stolen property, 21 counts of misuse of a credit card, four counts of identity fraud, 20 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, 17 counts of uttering a false document, three counts of larceny over $250 from a person over the age of 60, 16 counts of forgery of a document, two counts of larceny under $250 from a person over the age of 60, two counts of attempt to commit a crime to wit: fraudulent use of a credit card, two counts of common and notorious thief, and single counts of forgery of a check, uttering a false check, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, breaking and entering a motor vehicle in the daytime and larceny under $250.
Teti was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety bail. The incident are alleged to have occurred in Pittsfield and Cheshire between April 5, 2012 and August 12, 2012.
Andrew DuPont, 19, of South Egremont had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of violation of a harassment order.
He was released on personal recognizance on the condition that DuPont have not contact with the alleged victim, observe a curfew, reside with his mother and remain drug and alcohol free during the pendency of this case. The incident allegedly occurred in Great Barrington on May 22, 2012 and involved a 16-year-old girl.
