Suspect in Home Invasion Arrested

On October 25, 2009, at 3:58 pm, several Amherst Police Officers responded to unit 39 at Townhouse Apartments, in Amherst, for a reported home invasion. The ensuing investigation revealed that a man had burst into the apartment with a knife. The man, who was later identified as Jayson Stinson, threatened the resident and his girlfriend who are both twenty-years-old and residents of Amherst. Neither person was injured. Stinson left the apartment and then smashed the windows of the girlfriend’s parked car using a metal chair. Stinson was located at 5:19 pm at Colonial Village Apartments and was subsequently arrested. A knife has been recovered. The incident is believed to be the result of an argument over money but it remains under investigation.

Jayson R. Stinson, Age 26
21 Old Amherst Road, Apt B
Belchertown, Massachusetts

Charges:
Home Invasion
Breaking & Entering Daytime, Person in Fear
Malicious Destruction of Property over $250

Stinson has been held on $1000 cash bail following his arraignment in the Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Free Labor Available

In 2007, the Amherst Police Department initiated the Community Enhancement Through Community Service Program. The basic premise behind the program is to have individuals who have committed minor offenses in Amherst, for example open container violations, noise violations, minor in possession of alcohol, etc., complete court-ordered community service here in our community. Through this program various clean-up jobs have been completed including a work day at the Jessie’s House playground and a cleanup of Kendrick Park. Detective Dave Foster, the program's coordinator, is looking for suggestions for work projects to be completed now during the fall of 2009. If you have a project idea, or if you are a non-profit organization in Amherst that could benefit from this program, please contact Detective Foster at 413-259-3166 or e-mail him at fosterd@amherstma.gov.

(2008 photo of cleanup of downtown streets by community service group)

Serious Assault Solved

On September 26, 2009, at approximately 12:41 am, the Amherst Police received a report that a man had been beaten on the side of the road. The assault occurred in the 900 block of North Pleasant Street. The victim, a 21-year-old Providence, Rhode Island, man, is a student at the University of Massachusetts. He sustained severe facial injuries and required surgery.

The ensuing investigation has identified the assailant as a 19-year-old Foxboro, Massachusetts, man. He is a student at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He will be summoned to the Eastern Hampshire District Court on charges of Assault & Battery/Serious Bodily Injury.

Questions regarding this investigation can be forwarded to Detective Greg Wise either via email or at 413-259-3015.

Auto Theft Deterence "VIN Etching" Program

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the Amherst Police Department welcomes you to join us in an initiative to deter auto theft in Massachusetts. The Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force will be conducting a one-day window etching service from the hours of 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Amherst Police Department.

"VIN Etching" is a chemical process in which your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is permanently etched into the windows of your car, van, bus, or truck.

This program is a great way to do your part in lowering your chance of becoming a victim of auto theft. The Amherst Police Department is happy to make this service available to you, and we urge you to come down and participate in this one-day opportunity.

A $10.00 fee will be charged to the customer for this service to offset the cost of supplies and equipment used in etching a vehicle.

Learn more about "VIN Etching" and how you could save 15% on your insurance!

For the third year in a row, Emergency Dispatchers from the Amherst Public Safety Communications Center are working in partnership with the Amherst Fire Department and taking part in AFD's SAFE Program. Together they are helping to teach some of Amherst’s youngest citizens about dialing 911.

The SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) Program has been in place since 1996, with firefighters from the Amherst Fire Department teaching lessons about fire safety and prevention to the 4th graders at Fort River, Crocker Farm, Marks Meadow, and Wildwood Elementary schools as well as at the Shutesbury, Leverett, and Pelham Elementary schools.

The month-long SAFE Program culminates with the 911 lesson, which includes information for students about how to appropriately use 911 including what to say if they do have to report an emergency, and each student will have an opportunity to practice dialing 911 using a special phone prop which allows the Dispatchers and the students to simulate a 911 call so they can apply what they’ve learned.

Working with the SAFE Program is just part of the 911 Education Program that was founded in 2007 by Dispatchers Jason Rushford and Carly Kinnas. The program was designed to educate citizens of all ages about the proper use of 911, and Rushford and Kinnas have presented at other community events as well including the Amherst Fire Department’s Open House, the flu-clinic at the Bangs Community Center, and for seniors with the Amherst SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Program.

If you would like more information about the SAFE Program or the 911 Education Program, contact Carly Kinnas at kinnasc@amherstma.gov or Jason Rushford at rushfordj@amherstma.gov or at the Communications Center at 413-259-3000. This program is funded by a Community Policing Grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Arrest for Assault

On October 2, 2009, at approximately 9:59 pm, several Amherst Police Officers responded to Townehouse Apartments for a reported large-scale disturbance/fight. Responding Officers were able to locate several victims who were suffering from abrasions and other injuries. One of the victims was found to have been struck with a glass beer bottle. That victim, a 20-year-old Canton man, is a student at the University of Massachusetts. His injuries were not life-threatening and he was seeking medical treatment at the UMass infirmary. One suspect in the beer bottle assault was located in the area. He was identified and arrested.

He is:
Nicholas S. Williamson, Age 19
948 Dwight Street #10
Holyoke, MA
Charge: Assault & Battery with Dangerous Weapon (glass bottle)

Williamson is a not a student. He is expected to be arraigned today in the Eastern Hampshire District Court. Williamson was held for the weekend at the Hampshire County House of Corrections in lieu of $1000 cash bail. Investigators expect that additional persons may be charged in relation to this incident as the investigation is still on-going.

(attached photo of Nicholas S. Williamson)