The following police logs are from the Amherst Police Department from Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 to Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2019
Vandalism
8:03 a.m.: At 39 Kendrick Place, a reporting party wanted it documented that overnight unknown persons had toilet-papered her yard. The reporting party did not need to see or speak to an officer.
Larceny
9:05 a.m.: At Amherst Center Market at 259 Triangle St., a reporting party believed one of his employees was stealing from the store. He said that one day he noticed that the employee had stolen over $150 worth of products. APD asked the reporting party to gather video footage of the individual stealing these items so the employee could be charged with larceny.
Disturbance
9:43 a.m.: At the Bank of America at 1 South Pleasant St., a reporting party advised that a 63-year-old Amherst man was causing a disturbance and was trespassing, related to a previous incident at the Bank of America in Northampton. When APD arrived, the man was driving away from the bank traveling south on South Pleasant Street. An officer asked him to pull over and he did. The man was arrested for a warrant out of Northampton District Court and for trespassing in the Bank of America.
6:16 p.m.: At The Spoke at 35 East Pleasant St., a reporting party advised there was an individual causing a disturbance inside the bar and the individual was now standing outside in front of the bar. The involved party was not seen inside the business by officers, but was advised to leave the area and not return due to trespass. Staff just wanted the involved party gone and did not want to pursue any trespassing charges. The involved party went to the shelter for the night.
Assist Business/Agency
9:54 a.m.: APD assisted the Indiana Gaming Commission with a background check on an involved party.
1:15 p.m.: At 500 Sunderland Road, APD accompanied Bioshelters to do an inspection of a property which had recently changed owners. There was suspected drug activity which was confirmed through observations. The building is now vacant and was being cleaned out by a disposal company during APD’s time there.
Motor Vehicle Stop
9:55 a.m.: At 888 West St., the operator of a gray 2018 Toyota Rav4 was issued a verbal warning for speeding.
Disbaled Motor Vehicle
11:13 a.m.: Amherst College Police Department advised of a disabled motor vehicle with its rear pass tire locked up at the intersection at 104 College St. College Street Motors was requested for the vehicle, a one ton dump/pick-up truck, a 1995 Ford F800, but the business advised they quit towing vehicles two years ago. Ernie’s Towing responded and pulled the vehicle onto Amherst College property where it made a delivery.
Motor Vehicle Crash
12:32 p.m.: A reporting party came into the station to report a hit and run to her vehicle sometime overnight that caused damage to the driver’s side mirror. She stated her car was parked at 94 North Prospect St. and that at some point between 10 p.m. on Thursday night and 8 a.m. on Friday morning, the mirror was damaged. She requested a narrative for insurance purposes.
7:08 p.m.: At 35 Northampton Road, a white 2011 Volkswagen CC was traveling behind a blue 2015 Honda CR-V. The Honda stopped quickly and the Volkswagen struck the rear bumper. The Honda left prior to APD arrival, but the operator advised the Volkswagen operator that her husband would be calling him. Damage to the Volkswagen was under $1,000. Information exchange forms were filled out and both vehicles left under their own power.
8:14 p.m.: At the Bank of America at 1 South Pleasant St., a gray 2016 BMW 5Seri and a green 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer sideswiped each other after an Amherst Fire Department fire truck traveled south through the intersection with its lights on. A motor vehicle crash report was generated and no citations were issued.
Suspicious
2:51 p.m.: A reporting party came into the station to report some suspicious activity occurring at her home at 1:50 p.m. at 22 Charles Lane. The reporting party had a “Ring” video doorbell system and showed APD a video of a young man walking toward her front door and immediately leaving. It appeared the man saw the doorbell system and left. The reporting party stated they would email APD the video with the image in case any other suspicious activity or break-ins occurred in or around the area.
3:42 p.m.: A reporting party advised of a male party wearing a black hoodie, light colored jeans and brown shoes standing outside near the main entrance at 422 Belchertown Road screaming into his cell phone. The reporting party said the man appeared to be stumbling around as well. The call was held for the 4 p.m. shift and an officer advised he had observed a male matching the description at a PVTA bus stop while driving to the station. The officer went back after the shift started, but the male and others who had been at the PVTA bus stop were no longer present.
Animal Complaint
4:33 p.m.: A reporting party had a friendly dog named King in the bar at The Harp at 163 Sunderland Road. The owner was located and said they would respond to the bar within 15 minutes.
6:21 p.m.: A reporting party was concerned about a dog in a black 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 for over 15 minutes in cold weather at 59 Boltwood Walk. The dog was sleeping inside the vehicle and was not shaking from the cold weather. The dog was not in distress.
Assault
6:49 p.m.: A walk-in report was made at the station concerning a past assault. A statement and photos were taken. The assault allegedly took place at the High Horse at 24 North Pleasant St. and involved a staff member. The incident is under investigation.
Assist Other Police Department
6:58 p.m.: The University of Massachusetts Police Department advised APD to be on the lookout for a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas which had been involved in a hit and run.
Community Policing
7:23 p.m.: APD observed part of the Amherst Regional High School football game against Easthampton. Officers walked around the field and sidelines.
Assist Citizen
9:31 p.m.: At 500 Riverglade Drive, a reporting party stated they lost $10,000 Chinese Yuan to an unknown party online that was supposed to exchange it for U.S. dollars.
Motor Vehicle Complaint
10:31 p.m.: At 1191 North Pleasant St., a reporting party stated there was an erratic operator in a green 1998 Toyota Runner speeding and weaving in and out of the lanes. Marked lanes violations and speeding were observed by an APD officer as the vehicle was traveling at 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. The operator did not appear to be impaired and a written warning was issued.
Noise Complaint
11:44 p.m.: A reporting party stated there was loud music coming from The Spoke at 35 East Pleasant St. They stated it was louder than it usually was and the bass was excessive. Noise was not unreasonable or louder than normal business hours.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
Disabled Motor Vehicle
3:13 a.m.: A brown 2000 Toyota Camry was pulled over at 348 Northampton Road with a second vehicle standing by for a tow. The vehicle was not a traffic hazard.
Assist Citizen
4:12 a.m.: A reporting party stated that a family staying with her at 263 Northampton Road had not come back from their trip to Boston. The individual stated the last time they talked to the family they were supposed to be back by 9 p.m. the previous night. The reporting party noticed a post on Facebook from the family around 8:30 p.m. when she believed they were still in Boston. The family included two adults in their 40s and four children ranging in age from six to 12 years old. The reporting party stated the family was driving a gray 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. She had called several times but the phone had gone straight to voicemail. APD attempted to contact the family as well but went straight to voicemail. APD told the reporting party their options and made contact with Boston PD to advise them of an overdue motorist. The reporting party called later at 7:09 a.m. and stated the family had returned later in the morning.
2:48 p.m.: A reporting party from Vermont stated that she allowed her daughter to use her vehicle six weeks ago and the daughter hadn’t returned with it. She described the vehicle as a light blue 2006 Audi A4 with a banged up side. The reporting party did not give a plate number. The daughter took the vehicle and fled to Amherst to live with her boyfriend. The mother did not know the boyfriend’s last name, but said she believed he lived near Ernie’s Towing. The mother was talking to her daughter after she initially left, but stated the daughter had not answered or responded to calls in several weeks. The mother wanted the car back and was advised to report it missing in Vernon, Vermont. The vehicle was not located near Ernie’s Towing on Montague Road.
Disturbance
5:15 a.m.: At 1040 North Pleasant St. in Puffton Village, a 20-year-old man from Wyckoff, New Jersey broke into an apartment through a window. A female resident of the apartment called officers to report the break-in and stated the male party was breaking things in the living room before moving to another bedroom. She and her roommate were in another room, but were unable to shut or lock the door. The reporting party stated they believed it was the roommate’s ex-boyfriend. The involved party was located inside the apartment yelling and breaking various items. Multiple items, including a large window leading outside, were damaged. He was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and defacing property, with breaking and entering charges pending investigation. The resident was given contact information for APD to send videos of the man destroying the apartment.
11:16 a.m.: A reporting party, who wished to remain anonymous, stated they came out of the store with their husband and two-year-old child at 330 College St. A female party described as in her 60s and wearing a black top and white headband allegedly made some very graphic threats toward the young child and started swearing at the reporting party. The reporting party had left the area. APD located the involved party and spoke with her. The involved party accused the officer of harassing her. The officer informed her of the complaint and she stated that she had been talking on the phone with her friend. She was advised to keep her phone conversations low if that was in fact the truth.
Suspicious
6:06 a.m.: At 133 Belchertown Road, a reporting party stated there was some sort of noise coming from outside of her apartment building. She was afraid to go outside due to a language barrier. Once on scene, APD could hear a constant banging noise coming from beneath the stairs. The noise appeared to be coming from the sprinkler system room, which can only be accessed from the outside. Dispatch was advised to contact the building’s maintenance and AFD. AFD on the scene advised it was the systems compressor malfunctioning and maintenance was en route.
9:10 a.m.: At 38 Maplewood Drive, a reporting party believed her neighbors were practicing shooting guns in the area. She was not sure but heard popping noises and did not want officers to respond. The reporting party was uncooperative and agitated and was sent to the station officer to talk about options. The noise was coming from the BluRoc site on Strong Street. The reporting party was advised and satisfied with the response.
2:03 p.m.: At 275 East Pleasant St., two officers observed a black 2011 Audi A5 parked at a house which was vacant and for sale. The plates were run and found to have recent breaking and entering activity. The occupant said he was hired by the realtor to fix the house up.
Community Policing
10:09 a.m.: At 961 North Pleasant St., APD sat in on a meeting with UMass agriculture about what they do and the challenges they have been facing.
Motor Vehicle Crash
11:20 a.m.: At 30 Belchertown Road, a gray 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan stopped abruptly to yield to emergency lights and was rear-ended by a gray 2002 Toyota Camry. There was no damage to either vehicle and no injuries. The crash occurred at low speeds.
Vandalism
1:36 p.m.: At 39 Kendrick Place, a reporting party believed she was being targeted by her neighbor. Her house was egged sometime overnight and had been toilet-papered the night before. The homeowners said they were not sure who was actually doing this but stated there was a handful of college rentals in the area. APD recommended looking into security cameras and sensor spotlights. They indicated they would be installing cameras soon.
Animal Complaint
1:46 p.m.: A reporting party stated a cat had been struck by a motorist at 1301 West St. People were swerving and slamming on their brakes to avoid it and almost caused accidents. The reporting party was not sure if it was still alive or not. An officer went to the location and confirmed the cat was domesticated and dead. It was wearing a flea collar, but no tags. The white and black cat was transported to an animal officer and the area was cleared.
Noise Complaint
2:39 p.m.: On Dickinson Street, loud music was reported. APD came upon girls in a car who were pulling out. They admitted to playing loud music for a minute or so and stated they were yelled at by the reporting party. There was no noise on arrival.
11:25 p.m.: At 27 Fearing St., a large party was cleared out after loud music was reported from the very top floor of the residence blaring for surrounding houses and neighborhoods to hear. Once the music was turned off, guests proceeded to chant and yell, continuing the noise. The residents, a 20-year-old male from Fitchburg, a 19-year-old male from Brookline, a 21-year-old male from Smithtown, New York and a 19-year-old male from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were issued summons for violation of town bylaws.
Assist Other Police Department
3:53 p.m.: A reporting party stated there was an erratic operator at 113 West Bay Road. The vehicle was described as a black Mitsubishi Eclipse and a partial plate was provided. An area search was negative.
Motor Vehicle Stop
5:24 p.m.: At 246 College St., a black 2005 Dodge Ram was stopped for expired registration and the registration was renewed on the scene. The operator was issued a citation.
7:17 p.m.: At 201 North Pleasant St., a verbal warning was issued to the operator of a gray 2014 Nissan Altima.
11:56 p.m.: At 358 North Pleasant St., a gray 2017 Honda Pilot was issued a verbal warning.
Suspicious Motor Vehicle
6:03 p..m: A reporting party stated there was a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at the Puffton Village OFfice at 1040 North Pleasant St. The vehicle was described as a silver Buick with a female driver and a male in the passenger side. An area search was negative.
Traffic
6:31 p.m.: At 81 Summer St., a blue 2008 Honda CRV and a gray 2015 Honda CR-V were observed parked on the sidewalk. Residents were contacted and advised of the ongoing problem and stated they would move the vehicles. A white 2003 Nissan 4D was parked on the grass and street between 61 and 66 Summer St., but was not blocking the sidewalk. APD was unable to locate the owner at the residence. There were not any signs prohibiting parking on Summer Street at the time.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019
Noise Complaint
12:14 a.m.: A reporting party complained of loud noise coming from The Pub at 15 East Pleasant St. No enforcement action was taken. The music from The Pub was deemed to not be excessive and could only be heard while standing right outside the establishment. The reporting party told the responding APD officer that they had made repeated complaints from his apartment regarding the noise from the various downtown bars. The officer was not able to have the establishment turn off the music completely, but said he would try to come up with a compromise. The reporting party requested that the officer have the bars lower the music so he could not hear it.
12:45 p.m.: A reporting party called in loud music sound at Apt. No. 519 or No. 520 at 1040 North Pleasant St. No noise was heard on arrival.
1:45 p.m.: A reporting party stated loud music starting back up at Apt. No. 519 at 1040 North Pleasant St. in Puffton Village. The stereo was on at the listed location with the window open. The listed party agreed to turn it off.
3:32 p.m.: Loud music and voices at 382 North Pleasant St. Apt. No. B were heard upon police arrival. The tenant was located and identified before agreeing to end the party, which consisted of a gathering of people in the backyard watching football and playing beer pong. The tenant was warned of the consequences for noise violation and agreed to keep it down.
Motor Vehicle Stop
2:26 a.m.: A verbal warning was issued to the operator of a gray 2015 Chevy Equinox for a defective headlight.
1:16 p.m.: A white 2002 Chevrolet Suburban was stopped for a stop sign and red light violation at 348 Northampton Road. A verbal warning was issued to the vehicle’s operator.
6:36 p.m.: The operator of a grey Mercedes-Benz GLE was issued to verbal warning for operating 35-40 mph in a posted 25 mph zone through Amherst Center.
9:46 p.m.: A verbal warning was issued to the operator of a 2012 white Nissan Sentra at 309 Amity Street.
11:24 p.m.: A random RMV query showed the registered operator of a red 2009 Nissan Rogue at 497 East Pleasant St. had a suspended driver’s license for operating under the influence and an NCIC warrant. Upon suspending the vehicle, it was discovered the registered operator was a passenger and not operating. The warrant was arrestable, but only in Texas.
Traffic
8:02 a.m.: APD assisted with traffic throughout town during the half marathon.
12:27 p.m.: A reporting party advised APD of a gray 2008 Honda Accord parked on the sidewalk that runs through the middle of the driveway at 1139 North Pleasant Street. The resident moved the vehicle further up the driveway to get it out of the sidewalk.
Suspicious
12:27 p.m.: A reporting party heard what sounded like a crash that might have taken out a mailbox, but thinks the vehicle drove off. The area around 159 Summer St. Apt. No. 43 checked negative upon arrival.
6:22 p.m.: A reporting party called in a fight inside of CVS at 76 North Pleasant St. about a stolen laptop. One party pointed out injuries on his face from when a party attacked him that day and the officer advised he was aware that the injuries were old, as he had reported them to another officer. Other witnesses on the scene advised one party tried to take a laptop. The victim did not want to pursue the matter further.
6:47 p.m.: A reporting party states that he saw three men and they were planning on fighting, one with a taser. The reporting party described them as wearing dark hoodies and one had a baby blue backpack. No one was in the area of 76 North Pleasant St. matched the reporting party’s description.
Motor Vehicle Crash
4:52 p.m.: A Subaru Outback was backing out of a parking spot near Matt’s Barber Shop at 59 Boltwood Walk. As the operator was pulling out, she swiped the rear driver side bumper of a black 2014 Prius as she executed the turn incorrectly. Information was exchanged on the scene and the damaged appeared to be under $1,000. The crash occurred the previous day, but the operator left a note as the Prius was unoccupied at the time.
Assist Citizen
6:21 p.m.: A reporting party arrived to the APD station at 111 Main St. to explain she believes she is being stalked by a male party known only by his first name. The two met briefly at a Partial Hospital Program in Greenfield. As of the previous day, the man was seen in front of her place of work in Hadley for about four hours. Today, he was outside of her work again for four hours. After she had left work, a coworker texted her that the man had entered the store and asked if anything was wrong. The coworker went to the APD to report the occurrence since she resides in town. An officer explained to her that if such occurrences at work continue to contact the Hadley Police Department and if he stalks her at any other location to call 911.
Assist Business/Agency
6:32 p.m.: A reporting party stated they would like an officer to assist with an 80-year-old man with a walker keeps leaving the facility and they are unable to keep up with him. He was wearing a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. Staff at 32 Chestnut Court advised that the man’s care plan indicated that if he attempts to leave, police need to be notified. The officer spoke with the man, who was clearly angry with the staff and advised that he wanted to leave as he was unhappy with the living conditions. The man eventually calmed down and stated once he calmed down he would write everything down in his notebook and present it to management when they come in on Tuesday morning.
Suspicious Motor Vehicle
8:40 p.m.: A black 2004 Honda Accord was parked in the row of van buses with two people in the back seat at 170 Chestnut St. Upon speaking with the two, there was a heavy odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. Both were advised that they were just “hanging out.” The operator was not impaired and not under the influence of marijuana at the time. He advised he had not smoke yet. The two were advised they could not be on school grounds and were sent on their way. The operator was advised of the repercussions if he operates while impaired by marijuana. The registered operator of the vehicle was not on the scene, but had various offenses, including drug distributions, firearm offenses and murder.
Kathrine Esten can be reached at [email protected]. Abigail Charpentier can be reached at [email protected]. Chris McLaughlin can be reached at [email protected].
