PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man is being charged in a Monday morning robbery at Berkshire Bank.
James Scales IV, 38, allegedly passed a note to a teller, brandished a knife, and fled the bank with some cash.
"The suspect reportedly passed a note to a teller, brandished a knife, and fled the bank with an amount of cash," according to Pittsfield Police. "The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of 38-year-old Pittsfield resident James Scales IV who is charged with armed robbery while masked."
Police say there may be additional charges when Scales is arraigned in Berkshire District Court on Tuesday, July 22.
No further information was provided on how Scales was taken into custody. The statement from police stated the patrol division, detective bureau, and crime scene services were involved in the investigation.
It also said the department "would like to commend the bank employees and civilian witnesses who remained calm during the incident. The employees and witnesses were able to provide important information that became pertinent to the investigation."
Police responded at about 9 a.m. to the report of the armed robbery 66 West St. branch. The department made a public post on the incident about an hour later on Facebook stating the suspect was in custody and there was no danger to the public.
"Because of the quick response from patrol, we have a suspect in custody, and there is no immediate threat to the public," the Facebook post reads. "We hope to have a press release later this afternoon."
By noon, a sign was placed outside the branch notifying the public that it was closed and the lights had been turned off.
"This location is closed Mon 7/21, please refer to Elm St or Allendale [bank branches]," it reads. "We apologize about the inconvenience. We open at 9 a.m. tomorrow."
Alison Skratt, head of the bank's corporate communications, confirmed no bank employees or clients were injured.
"Appropriate law enforcement and banking authorities were promptly notified and a suspect is in custody. We are working closely with law enforcement to support their investigation, which is ongoing," she wrote in an email response. "The safety of our employees, clients, and community is our top priority. The financial center will be closed for the remainder of the day as we assess the situation and support our team. We plan to reopen tomorrow."
Skratt noted that financial center deposits are protected by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance.
When iBerkshires arrived around noon, there was no crime scene tape and the branch had been cleared. A photo taken by the police around the time of the incident shows the outside staircase that leads to McKay Street taped off.
This is not the first time police have responded to the bank for this kind of activity. In 2022, officers were dispatched to the same branch for a holdup alarm after an attempted robbery, when someone had passed a handwritten note demanding money, then fled the scene. No cash was taken, no injuries were reported, and no weapon was displayed; the culprit was quickly arrested and sentenced to prison last year.
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With Tears, Pittsfield Officials Vote to Close Morningside
Officials identified the school's lack of classroom walls as the most significant obstacle, creating a difficult, noisy learning environment that is reflected in its accountability score.
Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the purpose of considering the closure is centered on the district's obligation to ensure every student has access to a learning environment that best supports academic growth and achievement, school climate, equitable access to resources, and long-term success.
"While fiscal implications are included, the potential closure of the school is fundamentally driven by the student performance, their learning conditions, the building inadequacy, and equitable student access, rather than the district's budget," she said.
"… The goal is not to save money. The goal is to reinvest that money to make change, specifically for our Morningside students, and then for the whole school building, as a whole."
Over the last month or so, the district has considered whether to retire the open concept, community school at the end of the school year.
Morningside, built in the 1970s, currently serves 374 students in grades prekindergarten through 5, including a student population with 88.2 percent high-needs, 80.5 percent low-income, and 24.3 percent English learners. Its students will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.
School Committee member and former Morningside student Sarah Muil, through tears, made the motion to approve the closure at the end of this school year. The committee took a five-minute recess after the vote.
Over the last month or so, the district has considered whether to retire the open concept, community school at the end of the school year.
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