Police Arrest Suspect in Walmart Armed Robbery

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The suspect in an armed robbery of the local Walmart is facing multiple charges, including for stealing a pickup truck. 
 
The robbery occurred on Friday morning when Walmart employees contacted police around 7 a.m. to report a man had brandished a firearm at them and demanded money. 
 
The suspect got into a red pickup and drove toward Church Street. Officers were quickly in the area and began to pursue the vehicle. The driver stopped the truck at Hillside Cemetery, and fled run on foot. A short foot pursuit ensued, and officers were able to apprehend the suspect quickly. One officer sustained injuries during the arrest but is expected to make a full recovery.
 
?The suspect was found in possession of a duffle bag containing an AR-15 pistol, with a 30-round high-capacity magazine containing 17 rounds. The suspect took approximately $5,400 in cash from Walmart, which was recovered. The vehicle was found to be stolen out of Bennington, Vt.
 
?This case is still under investigation by the North Adams Police Department, which commended the Walmart employees for their quick actions and attention to details that helped lead to "such a smooth and successful apprehension."
 
Police have not yet identified the suspect. 
 
The charges associated with this incident include, but are not limited to: armed robbery while masked; use of a firearm in commission of a felony; armed career criminal; firearm, ammunition, loaded firearm possession without license; larceny of motor vehicle; assault and battery; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; failure to stop for police; and resisting arrest.
 

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Letter: North Adams Parking Survey

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I am inviting North Adams residents and visitors to take part in a citizen-developed survey about parking in our city. As a new resident, I was surprised to learn about the winter nighttime parking ban only after receiving a ticket. My appeal was denied, despite the fact that the ban was not proactively communicated. Information online is scattered, and enforcement dates appear inconsistent. In five other Massachusetts communities where I have lived, I never encountered a total winter parking ban.

Conversations with neighbors and local friends suggest that communication failures are a recurring issue for drivers here. From parking meters without posted enforcement hours, to Mass MoCA event parking, to the winter overnight ban, residents and visitors alike are left confused. To encourage better communication, I believe tickets issued without clear notice should be waived. With the city already investing in CodeRed alerts and maintaining a downtown marquee, it should not be difficult to keep drivers informed of parking rules.

I know I'm just one person with a limited view of the bigger picture. That's why I'm hoping this survey will collect a wide range of experiences and ideas. I'll share the results with City Council so we can push for clearer communication and better parking policies. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and make sure your voice is heard.

The parking survey can be found here

Elizabeth Neiderman
North Adams, Mass. 

 

 

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