Compiled by
AMHERST
Eric N. Barnes, 26, of Springfield, was arrested Jan. 22 at 12:52 a.m. on South Pleasant Street on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle to endanger and failure to signal, police said.
Paul R. Scace, 55, who provided an address as the streets of Amherst, was arrested Jan. 21 at 4:43 p.m. at the Boltwood parking garage on charges of disorderly conduct and defacing property after he was found defecating at the site, police said.
Daniel J. Canon, 65, of Henry Street, was arrested Jan. 21 at 12:24 a.m. on Henry Street on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, failure to stop for police, speeding, reckless operation of motor vehicle to endanger and failure to stay within marked lanes following a brief pursuit, police said. The vehicle Canon was driving crossed the center line on Pine Street and nearly collided with a police cruiser, according to police.
Gary Blanchard, 47, who provided an address as the streets of Amherst, was arrested Jan. 18 at at 10:17 a.m. on a warrant on three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of disorderly conduct after an incident at a downtown restaurant the previous day in which he lunged at three people with a knife, including two police officers, police said.
Jose G. Sanchez, 50, of Southpoint Apartments, was arrested Jan. 16 at 11:59 p.m. at Ann Whalen Apartments on a charge of breaking and entering during the nighttime to commit a felony after he was found inside an apartment when the resident returned home, police said.
Day-by-day
police calls
MONDAY, JAN 16
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
1:07 p.m. – A person was issued a trespass notice to stay out of a downtown convenience store.
DISTURBANCES
5:55 p.m. – Police assisted staff at a group home in South Amherst keep the peace with a client who was acting out.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
7:51 p.m. – A vehicle sustained minor damage when it was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle while parked in the Boltwood parking garage, police said.
TUESDAY, JAN. 17
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
6:40 p.m. – A drunken man was removed from the lower level of the Jones Library after he was found exposing his buttocks. He went to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton for treatment.
DISTURBANCES
11:37 p.m. – Police kept the peace between a mother and daughter at an Amherst home over the appropriate bedtime.
RECOVERED PROPERTY
1:23 p.m. – A Winchester rifle found at a North Amherst home was turned over to police.
ANIMAL COMPLAINTS
7:14 a.m. – A bull loose on South East Street was escorted back to its field with assistance from its owner.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
7:03 p.m. – Both vehicles were towed from University Drive following a crash in front of Big Y Supermarket, police said.
TRAFFIC
10:35 p.m. – A man walking in the middle of Pine Street near Cushman told police he was just trying to stay off the ice-covered sidewalks.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
4:20 p.m. – Smoke coming from a Henry Street residence was determined to be a person using a grill.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
9:34 p.m. – Police spoke to panhandlers causing issues in front of a Main Street business.
11:19 p.m. – A suspicious man standing outside a woman’s Puffton Village apartment fled before police got there.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
12:05 a.m. – A pedestrian walking on East Pleasant Street during inclement weather was clipped by a passing vehicle, police said. She was transported by Amherst Fire Department ambulance to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton as a precaution.
2:45 a.m. – A vehicle slid off Pine Street, causing minor damage to the vehicle and private property alongside the road, police said.
3:51 a.m. – An electronic crosswalk sign was struck by a vehicle that was abandoned on Pine Street. The driver was found a short time later and told police she was going to contact her parents before calling police. An electrician for the Department of Public Works was notified.
TRAFFIC
7:48 p.m. – Police issued tickets to four drivers for making right turns on red where prohibited on Main Street.
THURSDAY, JAN. 19
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
2:15 p.m. – Two people drinking alcohol on the Main Street sidewalk reported to police were not located by responding officers.
DISTURBANCES
8:37 p.m. – Two homeless men causing a scene inside the First Congregational Church were removed.
ANIMAL COMPLAINTS
1:16 a.m. – Police were notified about a large dog barking on Tanglewood Road and keeping neighbors awake. The animal welfare officer was contacted to resolve the issue.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
8:07 a.m. – Two vehicles were towed following a head-on collision at the intersection of Meadow Street and the Route 116 bypass, police said. An Amherst Fire Department ambulance and fire engine also responded to the crash for possible injuries to the occupants.
2:49 p.m. – A driver complained of leg pain after the vehicle struck a door on a parked vehicle on North Pleasant Street near Kellogg Avenue, police said. The driver declined medical attention, according to police.
TRAFFIC
8:23 p.m. – A sign was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle on Pine Street. The vehicle was not located.
FRIDAY, JAN. 20
DISTURBANCES
10:08 p.m. – Police assisted staff at the First Congregational Church remove two intoxicated men from the location.
VANDALISM
9:26 a.m. – A Village Park resident reported her vehicle was damaged, possibly by someone parking a vehicle in an adjacent space and slamming a door into it.
BREAK-INS
2:04 p.m. – Police took a report of a break-in to a North Pleasant Street home where tenants returned from vacation to find the inside of the home trashed, with numerous beer cans and bottles strewn about, and doors to the bedrooms heavily damaged. It’s unknown if any belongings were stolen from the residence. Police are investigating.
NOISE COMPLAINTS
10:41 p.m. – Police issued a verbal warning to North Prospect Street residents holding a loud party.
11:58 p.m. – A verbal warning was issued to Colonial Village residents watching a loud television.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
7:47 a.m. – Both vehicles were towed following a two-car accident at the intersection of South East and Main streets, police said. There were possible injuries to the occupants, but no further information was available.
SATURDAY, JAN. 21
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
11:32 a.m. – A man bothering pedestrians on Main Street was advised to give space for people to walk. He told police he would be heading to the Not Bread Alone soup kitchen for lunch.
11:56 a.m. – Police were notified that man made an obscene gesture toward a girl in the area of Fairfield and North Pleasant streets. He was gone when police got there.
DISTURBANCES
2:05 p.m. – Yelling inside a home at Echo Village Apartments was determined to be a child refusing to take a nap.
10:11 p.m. – Police kept the peace between a girlfriend and boyfriend arguing on Olympia Drive. The woman removed items from the residence and placed them in the road before police got there.
LARCENY
1:04 p.m. – Red Bull and Monster energy drinks were reported stolen from Big Y Supermarket several days earlier.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
7:07 p.m. – A driver’s side mirror was torn off a vehicle parked on Main Street when it was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle, police said.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
6:18 p.m. – Amherst Police assisted Hadley Police in searching for shoplifting suspects.
SUNDAY, JAN. 22
DISTURBANCES
1:33 a.m. – An intoxicated man trying to climb down a fire escape on Boltwood Walk, and who also intentionally tried to damage a fence, was escorted from the location until someone could pick him up.
8:50 a.m. – Police were unable to locate a man who made threats toward others at a downtown restaurant.
VANDALISM
8:18 a.m. – A picture window on a Cherry Lane home, as well as the home’s siding, were damaged when someone shot at the residence with BB pellets.
NOISE COMPLAINTS
10:42 p.m. – Police issued a verbal warning to Olympia Place residents playing loud music and yelling.
MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS
7:48 p.m. – Both vehicles were towed following a two-car accident with no personal injuries at the intersection of Amity Street and Lincoln Avenue, police said.
