Great Barrington Police Arrest 4 on Unarmed Robbery Charges

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Four individuals from New York State were arrested after an unarmed robbery at Berkshire Bank on Thursday afternoon. 
 
Desmond Collins, 34, of Queens; Adam Lamar Morrison, 30, of Irvingdale; Christopher Wright, 32, of the Bronx; and Shamina Cruz, 45, of Manhattan are all charged with larceny more than $1,200 and unarmed robbery. Police said more charges may be pending.
 
An employee of Berkshire Bank's Stockbridge Road branch reported the robbery at about 2:39 p.m.
 
A woman was attempting a fraudulent transaction when a bank employee identified the transaction as suspicious; the woman then grabbed the money and fled the bank. She got into a black Honda Accord with purple fenders and headed north on Stockbridge Road. Officer Andres Huertas immediately distributed a be-on-the-lookout to officers and area police agencies, including State Police.
 
Within minutes, Stockbridge Police Officer Rosario Messina was able to stop the vehicle without incident on Main Street in Stockbridge. 
 
An investigation into the incident resulted in the four individuals being arrested by Great Barrington Police Officers Sam Stolzar, Elias Casey and Brandon Messina. Officers from Stockbridge Police Department and State Police assisted in the arrest. 
 
A large amount of cash was secured from the vehicles and occupants. Police said they are looking into the possibility that other banks may have also been hit. 
 
"I am proud of the quick work from all officers involved and the bank employee," said Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti. "Handling a call like this situation without incident shows the professionalism of the officers."
 
The four suspects are being held on bail ranging from $6,000 to $9,000 at the Great Barrington Police Department. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filled at a later date.

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Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 
 
Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.
 
"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 
 
Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 
 
They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."
 
The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 
 
North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. 
 
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