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Pittsfield Police Seek Info On Attempted Gas Station Robbery
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are asking for information regarding an attempted robbery of the Lipton Mart on West Housatonic Street.
Police say at about 9:17 p.m. Friday night members of the department were called to the location for the reported robbery. A man had entered the building, brandished a handgun, and demanded the clerk open the register. The man left with no cash but did steal "several pieces of merchandise."
Police describe the suspect as standing about 5-feet-10-inches tall and wearing a red mask, dark-colored Adidas winter cap, and light colored shirt and pants.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Department Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705.
Pittsfield Police currently on scene investigating reported armed robbery, Lipton Mart 320 West Housatonic Street. pic.twitter.com/7pquGNuUCj
— Pittsfield Police (@PittsfieldPD) February 2, 2019
Pittsfield Man Shot By Police During Pursuit Found Guilty of Reckless Driving
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man shot by police officers during a vehicle pursuit in 2017 was found guilty on Monday of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, and failure to stop for an officer.
The jury, however, found him not guilty on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Mark Marauszwski, 58, was sentenced on Monday morning after the jury trial to 18 months in the Berkshire County House of Correction and fined $100 for failure to stop for an officer. He was also given a six-month suspended sentence on the charge of driving with a suspended license.
Marauszwski was accused of striking Officer David Hallas with his car's door during a traffic stop on Bartlett Avenue in January 2017 and then driving off. He then allegedly led police on a pursuit through the city, ending in Rotary Park on Springside Avenue.
The district attorney's office accused Marauszwski of driving toward Office Martin Streit there and Streit shot three bullets at the Mercedes that Marauszwski was driving. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit a cement post. The officers administered first aid to Marauszwski and he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center for one bullet wound.
The District Attorney's Office later cleared Streit of any wrongdoing in the case and no charges were pursued against the officer.
Marauszwski denied that he struck the officer with the door and said his intention at the park was to pull over and surrender. He claimed he did not attempt to drive at the officers.
Deputy District Attorney Richard Dohoney argued in court that Marauszwski's attempted escape from police posed serious safety risks to the community.
"The top priority of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office is to keep the public safe and protect the police officers who safeguard our communities," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said in a statement released on Monday.
The case was the first of two officer-involved shootings in 2017. In September of 2017, Daniel Gillis was shot by officer Christopher Colello. In that case, as well, the officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Dog-Walking Pedestrian Struck by Car on Main Street
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A man walking his two dogs across the top of Main Street was struck by a small sedan early Monday afternoon.
Although the man was standing and talking with emergency medical technicians and police officers, he was eventually taken by Northern Berkshire EMS for treatment of a shoulder injury. The two dogs, medium-to-large animals, were taken to Greylock Animal Hospital by the animal control officer to be checked out.
The pedestrian was apparently crossing where a crosswalk had been taken out years ago on the eastern side of the Main, Eagle and Ashland streets intersection.
"They were walking across the street and the car came around the corner making a left turn off of Eagle on to Main and hit the guy while he was walking," Sgt. Albert Zoito said. The pedestrian did not appear to be seriously injured he said. "A shoulder injury at this time that is all it looks like."
But, he said, one of the dogs appeared to be bleeding.
"The dogs are being checked out," he said. "I guess one of them was bleeding a little bit and might of got hit."
The operator of the vehicle gave information to the police and Zoito said charges are pending.
North Adams Fire Department also responded.