Man Arrested In 2 Armed Robberies In North Adams

The North Adams Police Department posted this on their facebook page.

Date: Sunday October 20th, 2019
Authored by: Chief Jason R Wood
Subject: Armed Robberies

On Saturday October 19th at approximately 9:00pm, Officers responded to Dave's Package store on River Street for a hold up alarm.

Dispatch was able to verify upon calling the business that the clerk was held up by a suspect, by way of brandishing a knife.

The suspect fled the area before officers arrived. However, the suspect was able to be identified by officers from the security footage. Officers checked known locations of where the suspect stays, but was not located.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 20th at approximately 4:40am, a second armed robbery occurred at Dunkin Donuts by the same method.

The suspect made off with a sum of money from one of the registers after going behind the counter and brandishing a knife towards the clerk. Again, the suspect fled the area. The description given led officers to believe the two incidents were connected by the same suspect.

Shortly before 7:00am, same date, an officer who remained in the area observed the suspect walking in the Union St area.

This was the same person who was identified at first robbery. The suspect began to flee from the officer immediately. A foot chase then ensued that led from Union Street to the River Street area.

While in the River St area, the suspect resisted arrest. Backup officers arrived shortly after, at which time the suspect was taken into custody. The initiating officer and the suspect were injured during the arrest.

The officer and suspect were both treated and released at Berkshire Medical Center's north campus.

Richard Sifton, 37, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges during his arraignment Monday in Northern Berkshire District Court.

A dangerousness hearing was set for Oct. 28.