Egremont — Police are on the lookout for four suspects after the report of an attempted abduction yesterday of a jogger on Creamery Road.
In a news release posted on the department’s Facebook page at approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday, the Egremont Police Department said that, about five hours earlier, the female complainant had been jogging on Creamery Road, which runs between Routes 23 and 71, when she was approached by a vehicle which she described as an older gray or silver Jeep Wrangler with a soft top and tape on the windows.
After the Jeep pulled up to the woman and stopped, the front-seat passenger opened his door and grabbed the victim by the arm. She managed to break free and ran to a nearby home, where authorities were alerted. Police said the Jeep drove off and was last seen heading south on Creamery Road in the direction of Route 23.
“The victim described the occupants of the vehicle as four Hispanic males who were unknown to her,” Egremont police said. “The victim was unable to obtain the registration number of the vehicle but described it is one of the newer gold and black New York state license plates.”
In an update this morning, Egremont police said they had no additional information to release: “The incident remains open and the investigation will continue.”
But Beth Regulbuto, the superintendent of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, of which Egremont is a member town, sent an email to the school committee today advising the community of steps the district is taking.
“The [school resource officer], principals and staff will be speaking to the students, in an age-appropriate manner, about how to keep themselves safe around strangers,” Regulbuto said. “With the addition of our SRO, we are planning to continue to teach safety as part of our standard curriculum, and the message of stranger danger will be reinforced. We want children to be safe, but not scared.”
Unlike many other districts in Berkshire County, Southern Berkshire does have a school resource officer. Sheffield police officer Tricia Zucco was appointed by the school committee as the district’s half-time SRO on Feb. 1. Regulbuto told The Edge the position is partially funded by a grant from the Sheffield Police Department and matched by the school committee.
“In partnership with us, we ask that our parents/guardians to talk with their child, in whatever manner you feel is appropriate, to warn them of the danger of going with strangers,” Regulbuto added. “I have informed the bus company as we have students with stops in that area, and all drivers have been alerted.”
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Egremont Police at (413) 528-2160.
