Ciccolo Arraignment Wednesday

iBerkshires StaffPrint Story | Email Story
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Adams man suspected of planning terrorist attacks is due back in federal court on Wednesday morning.
 
Alexander Ciccolo is set to be arraigned before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson at 10 a.m. at U.S. District Court.
 
Ciccolo has previously been indicted on a weapons possession charge and for allegedly assaulting a nurse when he was detained at the Franklin County lockup following his July 4 arrest.
 
To date, he has not been formally charged with any terrorism offenses. However, the U.S. Attorney's evidence at a bail hearing earlier this month outlined evidence of Ciccolo's sympathy for the self-proclaimed Islamic State and the defendant's desire to execute his own terrorist attack on U.S. soil, most likely at a college or university.
 
Northampton attorney David Hoose has said that he "suspects" there will be additional charges forthcoming against the 23-year-old Ciccolo, who also has gone by the name Ali Al Amriki.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Suspect in High-Speed Adams Chase Arrested

ADAMS, Mass. — A suspect test-driving a pickup truck who led police on a wild high-speed chase on Tuesday was arrested in Adams early Wednesday morning. 

The incident began at about 11:41 a.m. on Tuesday when an officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Howland Avenue. During the stop, the operator was positively identified and was determined to have a suspended license. When ordered out of the vehicle, he fled, said police, leading law enforcement on a multijurisdictional pursuit toward the town of Florida.
 
A number of people posted about seeing the black pickup truck enter the Walmart parking lot; a video shows the driver surrounded by cruisers as they try to exit the parking lot at the light. Witnesses say the pickup backed into cruiser to get around the block. 
 
The driver headed up West Shaft Road and toward Florida with Adams and North Adams Police in pursuit. The pursuit was called off at the city line. 
 
The suspect was able to elude police but his vehicle was found abandoned in a remote location in the Savoy State Forest. It was later learned this vehicle was being test driven from a local auto dealer. With the assistance of the State Police Airwing, K9 Unit and drone unit, officers canvased the wilderness for the suspect but were unsuccessful.  
 
Officers received information at about 3:14 a.m. on Wednesday that the suspect was in the area of Glen Street. Police say he fled on foot as officers secured a perimeter.  
 
K9 Adam and his handler Sgt. Curtis Crane began an area search. K9 Adam was able to locate the suspect hiding in a back yard, but the suspect again ran — straight into officers on the perimeter who took him into custody. 
 
The suspect faces a litany of charges pending from the previous day's encounter as well as the early morning contact with officers. Additional charges are pending as well from North Adams Police Department and their involvement in the apprehension.
      
View Full Story

More Adams Stories