NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police say the report of a possible home invasion prompted the activation of the Berkshire Special Response Team on Tuesday.

 

According to Police Chief Jason Wood, North Adams Police received a report about 3:14 p.m. that an individual with a firearm had entered an apartment at 376 Union St. through a window. 

 

"The caller reported the subject was armed with a firearm, threatening to harm her. The caller reported to dispatch that she had left the residence for her safety," Wood said in a statement released shortly before 9 p.m. "The caller believed the subject was still inside the apartment."

 

Police responded immediately, Wood said. Several police cruisers and the chief were still outside the residence, a three-story apartment building on the "old" Union Street leading up to Berkshire Landings, at about 4:45 p.m. Two officers were on the stairway to the top apartment speaking with someone. A large influx of police vehicles was stationed at the former Torrco building farther west on Union. Passers-by took pictures of the response team. 

 

Wood said the decision was made to activate the special response team, made up of law enforcement from various agencies, because of "the seriousness of the report."

 

However, he said, "during the course of the investigation, police found conflicts within the version of events which led us to believe the reported subject may not be inside of the apartment."

 

The response team entered the apartment but found no one inside and the scene was cleared at 6:31 p.m. Wood said there would be follow up into the incident.

 

"The identity of the alleged suspect has not been determined," he said. "We do not believe there is any risk to public safety as this appeared to be an isolated and pointed event."