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Authorities Make Arrest in Adams Structure Fire Incident
Authorities detour traffic at the mall entrance in Lanesborough as they take the suspect into custody.
According to a statement released on Wednesday morning,"Based on the information provided to police from witnesses along with family and friends there was concern that the fire had been intentionally set, and that firearms had been stolen from the home."
The suspect in the incident then fled to Pittsfield where he was involved in a "domestic situation" that resulted in a lockdown of city schools and a countywide "be on the look out," or BOLO, for himself and the red Subaru he was driving.
He was sighted by a Lenox Police officer about 3:15 p.m. but when the officer attempted to stop him, he fled with the officer in pursuit. The suspect was finally arrested in Lanesborough near the northern Berkshire Mall entrance "after a brief stand-off with police."
The incident is still under investigation by multiple agencies and he is currently being held pending arraignment in district court.
The release by the Adams Police Department states it "would like to thank its officers, and the other agencies involved in the investigation of this incident."
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The East Road home was in flames when firefighters arrived.
Original post on 4:31 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23: ADAMS, Mass. — Officials are investigating a structure fire on East Road on Tuesday afternoon that destroyed a single-family home.
Authorities declined to provide more information but the scene was cordoned off as a crime scene and police were on the lookout for an individual who had reportedly fled the area in a red Subaru, according to scanner reports.
"It is an open investigation and we have a long way to go," said Adams Police Detective Michael Wandrei.
The suspect was arrested at about 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday — about two hours after the fire was reported — after leading police on a chase that ended near the Berkshire Mall.
Fire Chief John Pansecchi said the call came in at 1:21 p.m. and that there was significant smoke and fire when firefighters arrived at 151 East Road.
"What we were advised that there was smoke coming from the house and someone was trying to get the dog out," he said. "When I arrived they had heavy smoke across the whole attic area of the house and fire venting out the roof."
Mutual aid was called into Cheshire and North Adams fire departments and Clarksburg Fire Department covered the station. Adams Ambulance Service and Northern Berkshire EMS also responded.
"The guys got in there and we got it knocked it down," he said. "The guys did a great job."
Pansecchi said the owners were not in the house at the time of the fire and that when firefighters arrived, they found the dog tied outside and safe.
The fire chief alluded to the fact the fire began when no one was home as the reason for an investigation. That was being done, he said, by state fire marshal's office, himself and Adams Police.
According to an individual with knowledge of the afternoon's events, the suspect is related to the home's owners. The house is owned by Jerome Cross, according to town documents.
Pittsfield Police posted on Facebook that they were looking for Courtney Cross, 34, last seen operating a red 2017 Subaru WRX at 2 p.m. on North Street and who was wanted by Adams Police. "Witness information is that Cross is in possession of firearms," states the post, adding that no one should approach him but instead call 911. It was not clear from listening to the scanner if Cross had any firearms.
The fire marshal's office was "extremely interested in the clothing" the suspect was wearing, one scanner post stated. Officers were told over the scanner to ensure that the clothing of the individual stopped and arrested that afternoon was properly cited as evidence.
Pansecchi was awaiting the arrival of investigators from the state fire marshal's office and expected to be on the scene for some time. The owners of the home had made arrangements to stay elsewhere, he said, and did not require aid from the Red Cross.
The road was closed off for several hours.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. ...
Adams Police Arrest Suspect in Val's, Racing Mart Break-ins
ADAMS, Mass. — Police say they have arrested a suspect in the burglaries committed at Val's Package Store and Racing Mart Gas Station early Sunday morning.
According to a statement from the Adams Police Department, officers responded to both Columbia Street businesses for what employees of the businesses reported as a breaking and entering that had occurred during the nighttime. Property was destroyed and money was stolen from both locations.
Night- and day-shift officers on Sunday, working with a detective, investigated the break-ins and arrested the suspect within hours.
The State Police Crime Scene Unit was called to assist in processing the scene, and officers also obtained video surveillance footage. Police said this footage showed a man who was known to the investigating officers conduct the breaking and entering and larceny within the business.
Officers quickly located him on Columbia Street, walking down the street carrying a television set that was stolen from a residence moments prior. He was arrested on multiple charges related to the break-ins and the active warrants already out for his arrest.
The defendant will be transported to Northern Berkshire District Court in North Adams on Monday morning for arraignment.
Adams Head-on Collision Sends Three to Hospital
Collision occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on the north end of East Road between a Subaru and pickup truck that was pulling a trailer with an all-terrain vehicle.
Police on scene were hesitant to divulge much information because the accident is under investigation but confirmed the collision was head on. It is believed one of the vehicles veered into the other lane.
Adams Ambulance personnel transported three victims to Berkshire Medical Center with injuries that did not appear to be life threatening.
The Fire Department posted that firefighters secured the vehicles and scene, and used Spedi Dri to soak up an remove fluids. Both vehicles were towed away.
East Road was closed for a little over an hour from Wheel Estates in North Adams to Lime Street in Adams.
Truck/Motorcycle Collision in Adams Leaves One Seriously Injured
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ADAMS, Mass. — Police are investigating a motorcycle and truck collision on Saturday that sent at least two to the hospital, one with serious injuries.
Adams Police, Fire, and Ambulance were dispatched around 3:45 p.m. Saturday to the area of 61 East Road to an accident involving a 2018 Chevy Silverado and a 2006 Harley-Davidson.
According to police , the Silverado was northbound on East Road when the Harley-Davidson, which was headed south, crossed from the southbound lane to the northbound lane.
The pickup attempted to avoid the motorcycle by turning away but was unable to and the two collided.
Both the motorcycle and the Silverado sustained extensive damage.
It was reported to dispatch that the operator of the motorcycle was unresponsive but breathing and upon arrival emergency services found that the operator of the motorcycle received serious bodily injuries.
The motorcyclist was transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He was later transferred to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
The occupants of the pickup did not appear to be injured but were transported to BMC's satellite emergency facility in North Adams for treatment.
The accident investigation is ongoing and no other information is available at this time. The investigation is being conducted by members of the Adams Police Department with the assistance of the State Police Detectives Unit and the Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section of the state police.
Traffic control assistance was provided by the Adams Forest Wardens and the road was closed until the scene could be cleared.
Adams Fire Douses Vehicle Blaze
ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire Department extinguished a vehicle fire on Howland Avenue late Monday morning.
According to and Adams Police Department's Facebook post. Adams Fire, Police, and ambulance responded to an older model white van fully engulfed in flames near Specialty Minerals just before noon Monday.
The post said there were no injuries and extended a thank you to an off-duty North Adams firefighter who stopped to assist the driver and Specialty Minerals employees who were on scene with fire extinguishers.
Once police secured the area, firefighters successfully put out the blaze.
The incident is under investigation.
