Sergeant Jesus Arocho Receives Award

On May 20, 2011, Sergeant Jesus Arocho received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools during their Latino Achievement Night. Throughout his career, Sergeant Arocho has been very involved in the Amherst schools, assisting in the CHAMPS mentoring program, High School RAD, the Youth Adventure Academy, the Ropes Adventure Course, and, most recently, he has coordinated several cultural events at UMass that students and police officers attend together. Sergeant Arocho was a speaker at the 2011 Latino Achievement Night which recognizes Latino students within the Amherst school system for academic achievement, community spirit, effort and leadership.

“Ricky Arocho oversees our community policing and programming efforts, and gives 100% at whatever he does,” said Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone. “He has done an excellent job of reaching out - not only to Latino students but all students - and we are grateful that the school has recognized Sgt. Arocho for his hard work.”

Safety Day at the Hadley Home Depot

On Saturday, June 25, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Amherst Police Department will be participating in Safety Day at the Home Depot in Hadley. Also participating in the event will be the Hadley Fire Department. The event is free and registration is not required.

Officers will be on hand to enroll children in the “Kid Care” identification program and to inspect and install child safety seats. For those community members in need, officers will have car seats on hand for free distribution. The Hadley Fire Department will be conducting equipment demonstrations.

If you have any questions or require any additional information regarding this event please contact Sergeant Jesus E. Arocho at 413-259-3000 or via email.

June 22, 2011 Arrests

On Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011, at approximately 7:15 pm, Amherst Officers were summoned to the CVS on University Drive for a report of shoplifters. Officers learned that the suspects had taken several items including digital and video cameras. Prior to police arrival, the suspects had fled the scene in a vehicle. The vehicle was immediately located on Bay Road by Amherst Officers Marcus Humber and Scott Thurston. Located inside the vehicle was stolen merchandise from the CVS as well as stolen merchandise from other area stores. In addition, a large quantity of heroin and several needles were found in the vehicle. Three males and one juvenile male were arrested at the scene and the charges are listed below. This investigation is ongoing. For more information, please contact Detective Sergeant David R. Knightly at 413-259-3015 or knightly@amherstma.gov.

Kevin J. Lamson, 37 years of age (bottom photo)
33 Railroad Row
Chicopee, MA 01013
1. SHOPLIFTING $100+ BY ASPORTATION
2. DRUG, DISTRIBUTE CLASS A
3. RECEIVE STOLEN PROPERTY +$250

Bruce J. Charpentier, 22 years of age (middle photo)
76 Meadow St., Apt. #A
Chicopee, MA
1. SHOPLIFTING $100+ BY ASPORTATION
2. DRUG, POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS A
3. ARRESTED ON WARRANT INITIATED BY OTHER AGENCY
4. RECEIVE STOLEN PROPERTY +$250

Michael Schoelles, 44 years of age (top photo)
33 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
1. SHOPLIFTING $100+ BY ASPORTATION
2. DRUG, POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS A
3. RECEIVE STOLEN PROPERTY +$250

16-year-old Chicopee juvenile male
1. SHOPLIFTING $100+ BY ASPORTATION
2. ARRESTED ON WARRANT INITIATED BY OTHER AGENCY
3. RECEIVE STOLEN PROPERTY +$250
4. DRUG, POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS A

Detective David Foster Receives Award

Detective David Foster received the Amherst Pelham Education Association (APEA) Friends Of Education Award on June 6th, 2011. Detective Foster has been a member of the Amherst Police Department since 1994 and assigned to the Detective Bureau since 2002. According to APEA member Elizabeth Elder, the Friends of Education Award is given to a community member who supports the schools and students, and this award recognizes their contribution to education. Det. Foster was nominated by Tracy Westover, an Amherst Pelham Regional Middle School teacher. According to Elizabeth Elder, Westover wrote in the nomination that "Detective Foster works very hard on a daily basis to help ensure that our students, staff, school communities, and parents are safe, informed, and given the tools needed to resolve issues before they escalate. He cares about the kids of the Amherst community and does what is needed to ensure that kids are given the opportunity to make smart choices about their behavior."

“Dave Foster is very dedicated and professional in his role as the liaison to the Amherst Schools,” said Amherst Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone. “He has been successful in numerous projects at the schools, and he represents this agency with integrity. All members of this Department share this honor with Dave Foster, as it further exemplifies the Amherst Police Department's commitment to the Amherst community.”

Arrest Made in Vehicle Breaks

On June 14, 2011, the Amherst Police Department made two arrests for breaking and entering into motor vehicles. Arrested were Joseph A. Trombley and Roger R. Bancroft. Trombley was arrested at his home at approximately 10:15 am. Bancroft surrendered himself to Amherst Police at the Amherst Police Department at approximately 1:18 pm. The arrests stem from reported motor vehicle breaks that occurred on June 5, 2011. Both men were identified following an investigation.

Joseph A. Trombley, age 32 (photo on top)
595 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA

Charges: Breaking and Entering / Motor Vehicle
Larceny over $250
Malicious Destruction of Property over $250 (car windows)

Roger R. Bancroft, age 42 (photo on bottom)
166 Packardville Rd.
Belchertown, MA
Charges: Breaking and entering/Motor Vehicle
Larceny over $250
Malicious Destruction of Property over $250 (car windows)

Both men are expected to be arraigned today at the Eastern Hampshire District Court. This investigation is ongoing.

Child Passenger Car Seat Installations

The Amherst Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%. This is where the Amherst Police Department can help.

The Amherst Police Department conducts Child Passenger Car Seat Inspections on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next scheduled inspection day is Saturday, June 18, 2011, by appointment only. Open to all community members, our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and install them properly to assure the safest ride for our children. To schedule a 30-minute appointment either contact the Amherst Police Department via email or call 413-259-3355.

The Amherst Police Department has received funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division for the equipment necessary to complete the inspections and installations. Questions regarding this program can be forwarded to Officer Felipe Feliciano via email or call (413) 259-3000.

Amherst and UMass Police Youth Adventure Academy 2011

The Amherst and University of Massachusetts Police Departments are pleased to announce the dates of the Amherst and UMass Police Youth Adventure Academy. The 2011 academy is a ONE-week program, and it will be held Monday, July 18^th to Friday, July 22^nd, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Youths entering the 6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grades are eligible to attend. The academy is FREE but size is limited to 20 youths, and preference will be given to Amherst residents and UMass affiliated families (for example if a parent/guardian works at or is a student at UMass).

Similar to a Citizens Police Academy, students will attend morning classroom sessions held at both the Amherst and UMass Police Departments. The classroom sessions will feature lectures, role-plays, and interactive demonstrations by police officers from both agencies focusing in the areas of law, crime scene investigation, defensive tactics and patrol procedures. Most afternoon sessions will be held at the Amherst Adventure-Based Ropes Course at the Notch Visitors Center where we will promote teamwork, communication, and strategy development.

Additional information concerning the Amherst and UMass Police Youth Adventure Academy is available on the Amherst Police Department website. Applications may be obtained at the Amherst Police Department lobby, the UMass Police Department lobby, or downloaded off the Amherst Police Department website. The application deadline is June 16^th, 2011, so please don’t delay!

Questions regarding the Youth Adventure Academy can be forwarded to either Amherst Police Officer Todd Lang at 413-259-3000 or UMass Police Officer Brian Kellogg at 413-545-9461.

Memorial Day 2011

The Amherst Memorial Day Parade was a huge success, as the rain subsided just before the parade kicked off! The marching members of the Amherst Police Department were led by a wagon full of their children who were waving American flags and throwing candy to the crowds.

The Amherst Police Department is grateful for the sacrifices of our servicemen and servicewomen.