Great Barrington – Today, at approximately 2:39 p.m., an employee of Berkshire Bank reported an unarmed robbery at the Stockbridge Road branch.
It was reported that a woman was attempting a fraudulent transaction, after a perceptive bank employee identified the transaction was suspicious. The woman then grabbed the money and fled the bank, Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti said in a written statement.
She got into a black Honda Accord with purple fenders and headed north on Stockbridge Road. Officer Andres Huertas immediately distributed a BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) alert to officers and area police agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police. Within minutes, Officer Rosario Messina from the Stockbridge Police Department was able to stop the vehicle without incident on Main Street in Stockbridge.
An investigation into the incident resulted in four individuals being arrested by Great Barrington Police Officers Sam Stolzar, Elias Casey and Brandon Messina. A large amount of cash was secured from the vehicles and occupants. Investigators are looking into the possibility that other banks may have also been victim of this group.
Officers from Stockbridge Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assisted in the arrest.
“As chief of police, I am proud of the quick work from all officers involved and the bank employee,” Storti said. “Handling a call like this situation without incident shows the professionalism of the officers.”
Arrested were Desmond Collins, 34, of Queens, N.Y., who is being held on $9,000 bail; Adam Lamar Morrison, 30. of Irvingdale, N.Y., being held on $7,000 bail; Christopher Wright, 32, of Bronx, N.Y., being held on $5,000 bail; and Shamina Cruz, 45, of Manhattan, N.Y., being held on $6,000.00 bail.
All are being charged with larceny over $1,200 and unarmed robbery. All four arrestees are being held on bail at the Great Barrington Police Department. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filled at a later date, Storti said.
