Update at 2:47 p.m.: Town Administrator Michael Canales has informed us that the utility company will not give permission to post crime watch signs on its poles because of liability issues.
However, "if people have signs they want posted, they can bring them to Town Hall, myself or Chief Williams, and let us know what street they want them on and we will place them on street sign posts," says Canales.
Original post:
I wasn't able to get to Lenox on Thursday but the story appeared in both The Transcript and The Eagle this morning. It should be available here for about a week.
At least one Clarksburg couple, Valerie and John Wilson, found personal property in the hundreds of items taken from the arrest of Stefan Veremko.
There's been a lot of talk about Veremko not being charged in the Clarksburg burglaries. This may be jurisictional; he may have to be arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court. If it's a matter of "receiving stolen goods," they not have to charge him up here. I'm trying to find that out.
There's also been questions of why Clarksburg is continually left off the list of towns in which the break-ins have happened. This is an error promulgated by the first press release from Lenox that omitted the town. The newspapers keep running the incorrect list (cut & paste?).
Next: Veremko's believed to involved in two to four break-ins; there have been six in Clarksburg since September. At least two break-ins he's not suspected in because of what was taken and the seeming familiarity the perpretator had with the home. (I read "friend or family member" in that.)
I also received this from the Stamford Community Watch regarding reports of break-ins on Hudson and Pine in Clarksburg:
"Regarding Pine Ave. & Hudson Brook. It has been reported that there has been "suspicious" circumstances at a home on each street recently. Homeowners reported that there were unusual things at the houses, mainly with an outside entrance. Again, we don't have reports of a break-in, just that they indicated unusual circumstances."
Still have a call into Vermont state police; still haven't gotten back to me.
I know some Clarksburg residents are planning to attend tonight's Selectmen's meeting about the burglaries. I'll be there as well.
For those in Stamford, I've also put in a call to the state police about the break-ins there. I was told Trooper Jesse Robeson is working the investigation but he hadn't gotten back to me this afternoon.
I'm also going to Lenox tomorrow to find out about the all the evidence picked up after Veremko's arrest.
Stefan Veremko, 28, was arrested after being spotted running from a Lenox building with a pillow case full of loot, said police. Veremko may be responsible for a rash of break-ins reaching from Southern Vermont to South County.
"We have reason to connect him to a couple of the housebreaks in town," said Police Chief Michael Williams on Monday. "We're still working the investigation with the other agencies in trying to link him to others [incidents]."
Williams said he was contacted by Lenox police on Saturday, the day after Veremko was arrested.
Recent burglaries in Clarksburg and Stamford, Vt., have had residents up in arms. More than 100 packed into the Stamford Valley Golf Course clubhouse on Saturday to discuss a forming a crime watch.
According to the Lanesborough Concerned Citizens Newsletter, that town, too, has been dealing with break-ins. Lanesborough Police Chief Mark Bashara said every effort was being made to find the perpetrators, according to Editor Al Hartheimer, and that all Berkshire County police departments were cooperating in the effort.
Stamford held a meeting with state police and a deputy sheriff two weeks ago over break-ins; Richmond is planning a similar meeting this Wednesday. Unlike those two towns, Clarksburg has its own, albeit small, police force and doesn't depend on state police for coverage.
Williams said he's been working with state police and other police agencies and that they keep each other apprised of ongoing investigations through a monthly "detectives' meeting," at which the recent rash of break-ins around the county was discussed.
"We had been putting the information together but couldn't link the Stamford and Clarksburg ones to that group," he said. "Now we're able to and its starting to fall together now."
It's not unusual for the bedroom community to have a few break-ins a year, but this time four occurred one right after the other at the end of October, beginning of November. At the same time, at least two break-ins were reported in Stamford and a possible attempted one. A couple break-ins had also occurred a month or so earlier in Clarksburg.
A number of Clarksburg residents have complained of lack of communication but Williams said the Selectmen have been kept informed and officers have spoken neighbors, as well as talking with other police agencies such as North Adams. A lot of information can't be released, he said, because it could hamper an ongoing investigation.
Veremko's arrest could bring closure to a number of break-ins fairly quickly.
"A majority of the time it doesn't happen [this fast]," said Williams. "I've seen it go for a year and then we find a clue or get information that closes the whole case."
The Selectman will take up the issue of the burglaries on Wednesday during their meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. A scheduled public hearing about a blighted house has been rescheduled to Dec. 9 because of problems getting the legal notice published in time.
Update 11/17/2009: Lenox Police will hold a viewing of the hundreds of pieces of evidence found from noon to 8 on Thursday, Nov. 19, in the auditorium of the Town Hall at 6 Walker St. Only those who have been a victim of a larceny and have an ID (driver's license, etc.) and proof of loss (such as a police report) will be allowed into the viewing. For more information, contact Lenox Police at 413-637-2346.
The suspect is described as wearing a black, hooded sweat shirt, sneakers and baggy jeans. He may be alone or working with someone in a vehicle. The majority of the break-ins have been during the day; at least one has occurred at night.
A number of homeowners have reported someone similar in description to the suspect as knocking on doors and claiming to have lost a dog. Police say this may be a method of casing the house to see if someone's home.
More information on Stamford can be found under "Stamford Vermont Crime Watch" on Facebook. For further information, check the Facebook page or contactClarksburgcw@gmail.com or Stamfordcw@gmail.com.
Update on 11/15/2009 at 8:25 p.m.: According to the Stamford Crime Watch, the North Adams Police say they know who the individual is, but do not have enough evidence to arrest him. He reportedly has a girlfriend who acts as a spotter. She is described as attractive, thin, about 5-foot-5 and weighs approximately 115 pounds, with brown shoulder-length hair.
Update 11/16/2009: Clarksburg Police say the Pittsfield man arrested last week in Lenox has been linked to at least two burglaries in Clarksburg. The MO of the alleged burglar also is similar to that of two burglaries carried out in Stamford, Vt.
