LENOX, Mass. — Police Chief Stephen E. O'Brien has formalized an agreement with the A Child Is Missing Alert Program that has led to a high-tech method now in place to search locally for missing children, missing elderly (often with Alzheimer's), college students and missing persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled.

Upon receipt of a missing person call, the Police Department will make one of its first phone calls to a toll-free number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at the national headquarters of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program. 

The call, answered 24 hours every day by an information and mapping technician, initiates a rapid process of information gathering and use of sophisticated mapping systems. A Child Is Missing then launches potentially thousands of calls within minutes with an alert message detailing the missing person's description, last known whereabouts, and pertinent information. This alert message will also include a Lenox Police Department phone number for use by anyone with information relating to the missing person.

This program is a free service to law enforcement. Police officials will evaluate each potential activation of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program to ensure the application is appropriate to the case and that the system is optimally used. Policies, procedures, and employee training will also guide the most efficient and effective use of this alert program.      

Phone numbers that are called by this program include listed numbers and mobile numbers available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be added to ensure they, too, are called in the event of an alert.

To enter your cell phone, unlisted or other device number visit www.achildismissing.org and click on "add your name" to enter your name, number and address. This information will only be used for emergency message alerts.  

A Child Is Missing is a nationwide nonprofit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children and others. It utilizes sophisticated computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in one minute to residents and businesses in the area where someone has gone missing. To date, the efforts of A Child Is Missing have been credited with more than 890 safe, assisted recoveries.

Cases heard before Judge May Lou Rup on Monday, June 6.

Laurie Houghtaling, 43, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Houghtalin was placed on two years probation. The incidents occurred in Pittsfield on October 21, 2009.

Cases heard before Judge May Lou Rup on Tuesday, June 7.

Jahart Moore, 33, of Bronx, N.Y. had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of manufacturing cocaine and three counts of drug violation in a school zone.

Moore will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $50,000 bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield on September 30, 2008, October 6, 2008, and October 7, 2008.

Stanley Kuklewicz, 38, of Millers Falls had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of reckless endangerment of a child and one count of assault and battery.

Kuklewicz was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety bail.

The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on May 1, 2011. The incident allegedly involved a 31-year-old woman and a 5-year-old girl.
 

Cases heard before Judge May Lou Rup on Thursday, June 9.

Kenneth Wood, 56, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Wood was released on personal recognizance. It is alleged that he conspired with others to sell drugs between February 3, 2010 and Feb. 17.

James Thomas II, 24, of Clarksburg had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of distribution of oxycodone, drug violation in a school zone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Thomas was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident that occured in North Adams on September 3, 2010.

Donald Thomas, 51, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws, to wit: distribution of cocaine.

Thomas was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Pittsfield on May 5.
 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Cheshire woman was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court Monday on embezzlement charges for allegedly taking about $110,000 from her job at TD Bank.

Jennifer Thurston, 39, had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of embezzlement by a bank employee and larceny over $250.

Judge Mary Lou Rup released her on personal recognizance. Thurston allegedly took approximately $110,000 from the bank between February 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The investigation was conducted by the Pittsfield Police Department.

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. 

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Tuesday, May 31.

Shaun Stolfi, 44, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of cocaine.

Stolfi will be held at Berkshire County House of Correction on $1,000 cash or $10,000 bail. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on May 5.

Brittany Johnson, 22, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

She will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $2,500 cash or $25,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield between September 27, 2010 and May 4.

Davon Kelly, 33, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute - his second offense - six counts of distribution of cocaine - his second offense - two counts of drug violation in a school zone, one count of drug violation in a park zone and four counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Kelly will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on  $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents in Pittsfield between September 24, 2010 and May 5.

Lealon Russell, 49, of Dalton was sentenced to serve two and a half to three years in state prison after being pleading guilty on May 23 to 20 counts of possession of child pornography.

The two and a half years were for 19 of the 20 counts and he was placed on five years probation on the remaining charge. During that period he will not be allowed to possess any computer or a cell phone with internet access and undergo counseling. Russell was in possess of child pornography between November 25, 2005 and November 13, 2009.

Karriem Martin, 33, of Valley Stream, N.Y. pleaded guilty to single counts of trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Marin was sentenced to serve three to five years in state prison at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on Jan. 4.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, June 1.

Rashawn Johnson, 33, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on court counts of distribution of cocaine, three counts of drug violation in a school zone and one count of a drug violation in a park zone.

Johnson will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $35,000 cash or $350,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Pittsfield between October 25, 2010 and Jan. 21.

John Sullivan IV, 24, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of distribution of oxycodone - his second offense - one count of drug violation in a school zone and one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Sullivan will be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety bail. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in North Adams and Pittsfield between September 3, 2010 and December 8, 2010.

Kayla Wheeler, 22, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and two counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Wheeler was placed on two years probation. The incidents occurred in Pittsfield on October 6, 2009, November 19, 2009 and February 8, 2010. Two additional counts of drug violation in a school zone were dismissed by the state.