Alleged Bank Robber Arraigned in Superior Court

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PITTSFIELD — The man accused of attempting to rob a North Adams bank was arraigned Tuesday morning in Berkshire Superior Court on a host of charges.

Robert A. Bywaters, 54, of Union Street, Schenectady, N.Y., had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of armed robbery while masked, armed assault with intent to murder and possession of an infernal machine and four counts each of armed assault with intent to rob, kidnapping and intimidation to steal from a depository.

Judge John J. Agostini ordered Bywaters continue to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $500,000 cash or $5 million surety bail. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to life imprisonment.

Bywaters allegedly took $32,000 from the Hoosac Bank on May 23 after threatening and holding hostage several tellers but barely made it out the bank's front door before police jumped him and took him into custody. Officers had to use a taser to subdue him.

Police say he threatened four bank employees with a fake gun and held them in an office shortly after entering the bank around 3 p.m. One of the workers was able to contact authorities when sent to get the cash. Other employees also apparently tripped alarms.


The robbery attempt shut down Main Street in North Adams from late afternoon until nearly midnight after the suspect dropped a package outside the bank believed to be military-grade explosives. The state police bomb squad was called to investigate and dispose of the device. Bywaters' van, left at the Big Y parking lot north of Main Street was cordoned off and searched.

Bywaters has a host of aliases, according to court documents, including Eugene Albert Hein, Robert Allen Bywater, Robert Albert Bywaters, Robert A. Harrison, Gene Hein, Bob Johnson, A. Hein Robert, Robert Alan Bywaters, Bob Bywaters, Robert Harrisson and various versions of Bywater/Bywaters.

The investigation was conducted by members of the North Adams Police Department.
 
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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