PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the safe return of two paintings that were stolen from a gallery within Methuselah Bar and Lounge earlier this month.
The oil paintings by Pittsfield-based artist Edward Pelkey were taken from the Tartell Gallery in the rear of the restaurant on Jan. 8 around 4:30 p.m., according to video surveillance.
The footage shows a man entering through an abutting, vacant storefront that shares a bathroom with the bar and gallery, turning on the lights, taking the artwork, and turning off the lights before exiting.
Due to the image quality, details of the man's features cannot be made out but the video has been shared on Facebook in hopes of someone recognizing him.
"We're just eager to get the artwork back if possible," owner Yuki Cohen said.
The Pittsfield Police Department has turned the investigation over to its detective unit for a more in-depth analysis of the video and a search for other footage.
Cohen noted that the person had keys to enter from the neighboring space and seemed familiar with the gallery, as the whole incident took less than a couple of minutes.
Methuselah is closed on Sundays.
While all parties hope to track down the person who did this, the main goal is to get Pelkey's artwork back.
"The New Gunfighter in Town" features a man in a red shirt shooting through saloon doors and is 30 by 24 inches. "The Cubist Bounty Hunter" shows a figure in Mandalorian style armor shooting a gun with vibrantly colored action lines around it and is 18 by 14 inches. Both are oil on canvas.
The abutting storefront at 393 North St. has formerly housed Shire Glass and Omega 1 African Fashion.
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Start Time Changed for Pittsfield July 4 5K
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire Health Systems 4th of July 5K start time has been moved to 9 a.m., the Berkshire Running Center announced on social media on Saturday.
The organizer of the annual road race said that the time was changed by half an hour in order to accommodate parade road closures.
On Sunday morning, the center said that 904 runners were signed up for the 5-kilometer race through downtown Pittsfield, including runners from five different countries and 22 states.
This is the 37th running of the holiday 5K, which will use the same course as Pittsfield's annual Independence Day parade.
Runners will start the course on Wahconah Street adjacent to the Wilson Street and Wahconah Street intersection. Wahconah Street will be closed to traffic at 8 a.m. to provide safe passage for all the participants.
Online registration is open until Monday at 5 p.m. through the Berkshire Running Foundation website, www.berkshirerun.org and click on events or through www.zippyreg.com. In-person registration and bib pick up is from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, and Wednesday, July 3, at Berkshire Running Center, 5 Cheshire Rd Suite 119, downstairs in the Allendale Shopping Center.
There is no day-of-race registration for the race.
Proceeds from the event will support Berkshire Health Systems Community Wellness Programming.
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The meeting was less than a half hour, with the most time spent on proclamations for the Pittsfield High School baseball and softball teams and a certificate of recognition to PHS student Jake Bassi.
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The town needs to address safety issues within the police station, including plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and cell damage.
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