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Williamstown, Vermont Police Searching for Robbery Suspect
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Multiple police agencies from two states Saturday night were investigating back-to-back armed robberies in Williamstown and Pownal, Vt.
At 8:22 p.m., a masked man entered the Spirit Shop at 280 Cole Ave., brandishing a handgun and demanding the clerk open the cash register, Williamstown Police reported in a news release.
After a brief argument, the armed man fled the store without acquiring any merchandise or money.
About two hours later, a similar incident occurred at the Stewarts Shop convenience store in Pownal, Vt., about a quarter mile north of the state line.
In that case, at about the 10:20 p.m., the suspected entered with a black handgun and demanded money from the store employees. Vermont State Police say he "fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money."
No store personnel were injured in either incident.
Williamstown Police worked with Massachusetts State Police, North Adams Police and K-9 units from North Adams and Dalton in the Cole Avenue incident. At the Stewarts Shop, Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriff were assisted by police from Williamstown and North Adams.
Police described the suspect as a thin white male, 5-foot-11 to 6-foot, in his mid 30s and wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, dark cargo pants and a camouflage hat and with a camouflage mask covering the majority of his face.
Police are asking anyone with information about either incident to call Sgt. Scot McGowan of the Williamstown Police Department at 413-458-5733 or the Vermont State Police barracks in Shaftsbury at 802-442-5421.
Updated with information from Vermont State Police.
Williamstown Police Dispel Hit & Run Rumor; Indicate Investigation Progress
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Police on Wednesday morning said no arrest has been made in the Feb. 9 incident that left a resident injured on North Hoosac Road.
Police Chief Kyle Johnson characterized as "total rumor" a report circulating around town that someone has been arrested in connection with the incident, a possible hit-and-run that sent Cheryl J. Leclaire, 54, of White Oaks Road, to Berkshire Medical Center in critical condition.
Asked about another part of the rumor — that a vehicle has been impounded in the case — Johnson again demurred.
"I won’t confirm or deny anything because I don't want to jeopardize the investigation," Johnson said.
Johnson said the police do hope to have information to release to the media as soon as Friday to bring "some closure" to the incident.
"But it’s not worth jeopardizing anything at this point," he said.
Police Believe Honda Involved in Williamstown Hit & Run
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Police now believe a Honda was involved in the incident that injured a woman on North Hoosac Road last week.
Cheryl Leclaire was apparently struck by a car on the evening of Feb. 9 and found laying in the road. She remains in the intensive care unit at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield in critical condition.
According to Williamstown and state police, three small plastic fender rivets were located at the scene. The rivets have been determined to be used exclusively in Hondas, but are ordinary with no traceable serial or model numbers.
Honda uses the rivets on 12 models beginning with 2012s and newer. The models and years are:
- Accord: 2013-16
- Civic: 2014-16
- Crosstour: 2013-15
- CRV: 2013-16
- CRZ: 2013-16
- Fit: 2015-16
- HRV: 2016
- Hybrid: 2014-15
- Insight: 2012-14
- Odyssey: 2013-16
- Pilot: 2014-16
- Ridgeline: 2014
Damage to the vehicle should be concentrated to the lower front passenger side bumper and/or passenger fender liner.
Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Williamstown Police Sgt. Scott McGowan at 413-458-5733 or Trooper Ryan Dickinson at 413-499-1112. Information can remain anonymous.
Police Seek Information on Possible Williamstown Hit-and-Run
Update at 4:28 p.m., Feb. 10: Police have identified the victim of a possible hit-and-run as Cheryl J. Leclaire, 54, of White Oaks Road. She remains in critical condition at Berkshire Medical Center.
"At this point in the investigation, a motor vehicle contacting or brushing Ms. Leclaire appears to be the likely circumstance. However, due to almost no physical evidence at the scene such as distinguishable vehicle parts, and no witnesses at this time, we are unable to confirm the exact series of events at this time."
Leclaire was walking her dog on North Hoosac Road near White Oaks at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. She was found in the road by a motorist. The dog was not injured in the incident and was transported by Williamstown Police to the town's animal shelter until he could be returned to family.
Police are continuing the investigation and asking for information from anyone who might have been in the area or seen anything.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Police are seeking information on a possible hit-and-run accident that has left a woman with serious injuries.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Williamstown Police and Village Ambulance responded to the area of North Hoosac and White Oaks roads for a report of an unresponsive female laying in the roadway.