Granby Police Department Blog

On Saturday April 21^st at approximately 9:35PM Granby Police responded to an armed robbery at Vicker’s Liquors located at 367 East State Street .  Officers arrived within three minutes of the call.  Officers spoke with the store employee who explained that a white male in his late teens had entered the store and assaulted her.  The suspect demanded money while holding a hard object against the victim’s back.  The male fled from the scene on foot with cash from the register. 

An unsuccessful area search for the suspect was conducted by officers using a trained K-9.  During the suspect’s escape from the store, he inadvertently left a green and off white sweatshirt inside the store.  The suspect left with an undetermined amount of cash from the register.

The suspect is described as a thin white male in his late teens, approximately 5’7” tall with crew cut style short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black tee shirt and dark baggy pants.  It is unknown if a vehicle was used in the crime.  The sweat shirt that was left at the scene by the suspect is a green and off white ENYCE brand sweatshirt with an elaborate print.

A picture of the sweatshirt that was worn by the suspect is attached below.

Anyone with information about the crime or about the possible owner of the sweatshirt is asked to call the Granby Police Department at (413) 467-9222.

On April 11, 2012 at approximately 16:50, the Granby Police Department arrested Mr. Christopher Berube, age 25, of 267 Falley Rd., Westfield, Ma. on an arrest warrant for two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery On a Child Under 14 years of Age. The warrant was obtained as a result of an on-going investigation led by Detective Barbara Fenn. Mr. Berube was held without the right to bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at the Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

On April 2^nd at approximately 9:30 PM, Granby Police, Massachusetts State Police and personnel from the North West District Attorney’s Office executed arrest and search warrants at 11 Darrel Avenue in Granby.  The warrants were the result of a cooperative investigation into an internet based crimes against children case that began approximately two weeks prior.  The investigation lead officers to seek a search warrant for the premises and an arrest warrant for 29 year old Eric Lacoste. The charges alleged on the arrest warrant include dissemination of obscenity to minors and posing a child for sexual photographs. Police searched the residence and seized several pieces of computer equipment and cellular phones.  Police located Lacoste at the residence and placed him under arrest pursuant to the arrest warrant.  Lacoste was transported to the Granby Police station for processing.  Lacoste was held overnight at the Hampshire County Sheriff’s regional lock up in Northampton on $10,000 bail. Lacoste is due to be arraigned in the Eastern Hampshire District Court on April 3^rd.

The Granby Police Department would like to announce the promotion of Officer Gary Poehler to the rank of Sergeant. Chief Alan Wishart would like to invite the public to a swearing in ceremony on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm, at the Granby Public Safety Complex. The entire staff of the Granby Police Department would like to congratulate Officer Poehler on his promotion.

The Town of Granby would like to announce that the Parking Ban will be in effect from 7pm today, February 29th, until further notice. This means that there is no on-street parking allowed.

The Granby Police Department has the set dates and information for the 2012 DARE Basketball and Soccer Camps.

 The 2012 DARE Basketball Camp will run Monday July 9- Friday July 13 (for grades 6-10) and Monday July 16- Friday July 20(Grades 3-6) Camp sessions run 9 am to 3 pm daily. 6th Graders may attend either session. Those 6th grade players who attend Session 1 can also attend Session 2 on a space available basis.

            The 2012 Dare Soccer Camp will be held July 23 - July 27 and is available to student’s grades 3 -10 (grades as of 9/12). The camp will run from 8:30 to 12:30 daily and is available to all area youth.

For more information you can contact Officer James White by email jwhite@granbypd.org  or at the police station 413-467-9222. Applications for the camp are available at the police station, or at the police department’s website  www.granbypd.org , under downloads, on the homepage of the website. Grades are as of September 2012. Camp fee is $40. (Discounts for multiple family members.) Apply early as camp fills up FAST!

On February 9^th  at approximately  8:00 PM  45 year old Scott Szaban of 399 East State Street Granby was arrested  and charged with arson of a dwelling house.   The arrest was based on a warrant issued by the Eastern Hampshire District Court.  The arrest warrant was the result of an in-depth investigation into the fire that completely destroyed the home at 92 Chicopee Street in Granby in late September of 2011.  The investigation was conducted by Massachusetts State Police personnel assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, agents from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and personnel from the Granby Fire and Police Departments.  Officers affecting the arrest arrived at Szaban’s residence and located Szaban who was armed with a rifle that was equipped with a laser sight.  He at one point aimed the weapon with the laser engaged in the direction of the officers.   Szaban put the weapon down when officers identified themselves and was arrested without further incident.  The rifle was later determined to be a pellet gun.  Szaban is being held at the Hampshire County Sheriffs Correctional Center in Northampton pending his arraignment in district court on February 10, 2012.  

There will be a Massachusetts Boating Basics Course at the Granby Public Safety Complex 259 East State St., Granby on Feb 2, 9, 16, and 23 (Thursdays). Participants must attend all four classes, from 6:30 to 9pm.

Pre-Registration is required with the Massachusetts Environmental Police 508-564-4961

Boat Massachusetts is offered to the public at no charge. The primary purpose of Boat Massachusetts is to foster safe boat operation through increased awareness of required safety equipment, safe boating practices and legal responsibilities. Students must be at least 12 years old.

            Youth 12 – 15 years of age who successfully complete the course will be issued a safety certificate allowing them to operate a motorboat without adult supervision, as required by state law. This course will also satisfy the state requirements for personal watercraft users who are 16 or 17 years of age. All graduates will be issued a Safety Certificate. Taking the class as a family is encouraged and has been proven to be highly rewarding.

            To view our current course listings or to join our mailing list please visit: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/boatrvsafe.htm

On Saturday, January 21^st at approximately 05:18 Granby Police and Fire Personnel were dispatched to the area 49 Morgan St. for what was reported as a “fully engulfed structure fire” via a 911 call. Upon officers arrival they reported that the fire was located at 46 Morgan St. and that the only occupant of the house, at this time, and his dog were out of the house and safe. Granby Fire Personnel responded and extinguished the fire. South Hadley Fire Districts 1 and 2 were notified and provided an engine company. Westover’s Off-Base Fire Department sent an engine company to the Fire Station to provide coverage. Granby Police, Granby Fire and the Massachusetts State Police Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire and ruled that the cause of the fire was improper disposal of smoking materials.

There will be a Parking Ban in effect beginning tomorrow at 5 a.m. until further notice. This means that there is no on-street parking allowed.