Firearm recovered in separate incident
Interior damage to the Russell post office by a hit and run driver on Saturday afternoon. (Photo used with permission of Russell PD)
RUSSELL – Sometime between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday, an individual drove into the wall of the Russell Post Office from the parking lot, then left the scene.
“Significant damage was done to the building,” Russell Police Chief Kevin Hennessey said, adding that it appeared that the individual overshot the parking lot. The post office closes at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, but the lobby is still open for access.
Hennessey said anyone with information may contact the Russell Police Department at 413 862-6209, and the call may remain confidential. He said the department has received information that a mid-sized white pickup, possibly a Tacoma, may have been involved.
He said they will be keeping their eyes open for vehicles with front end damage, and checking excise tax records. “At some point somebody is going to say something,” Hennessey said.
Hennessey also said that the U.S. Postal Inspector has contacted the department for a copy of the report, and there could be federal charges.
The post office will remain open while they repair the damage.
Unlicensed firearm recovered at a traffic stop in Russell on Friday evening. (Photo used with permission of Russell PD)
Also this weekend, a traffic stop in Russell led to an arrest and recovery of a firearm.
Hennessey said he pulled over a vehicle for speeding on Route 23 near General Knox Road at 10 p.m. July 26. The vehicle was registered in North Carolina, and the operator’s driver’s license was suspended.
Massachusetts State Police arrived on the scene to assist Hennessey. A tow truck was called, and an inventory of the vehicle yielded a loaded .44 special revolver located directly under the driver’s seat.
The operator of the vehicle, a North Carolina resident, did not have a firearms permit. The individual was taken into custody and charged with numerous motor vehicle and firearm offenses.
Hennessey said it was a good thing to recover the firearm, and take a gun off the street.
“You don’t expect it, but you expect it,” he said.
