WESTFIELD – After The Westfield News published a story about a stolen vehicle earlier this month, the victim contacted the newspaper to report that this vehicle had been stolen twice – by the same man.
Robert Cullen owns a 2014 grey Toyota Scion that Richard R. Adams of Springfield just can’t keep his hands off of.
The recent theft ended at approximately 4:30 p.m. January 16 when police, with guns drawn, pulled over the stolen Scion on Little River Road.
Adams, 19, the passenger, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
During his arrest, Adams told police he was aware that the vehicle he was in had been stolen, according to court logs.
The driver, Nathan P. LeBlanc, 20, of Chicopee, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and ten other charges including: receiving stolen motor vehicle, speeding, failing to stop for police, red light violation, stop sign violation and operating to endanger, according to police logs and court records.
Adams was held in lieu of $500 cash bail while LeBlanc was held in lieu of $2,000 cash bail after they were arraigned in Westfield District Court on January 19.
When this story ran on The Westfield News‘ media partner,WWLP’s, website, Cullen posted in the comment section: “it was my car that got stolen and it was the second time in 2 months they did it….they got ahold of the key and the first time they ran from the cops on foot and the driver got away with the key stashed it somewhere and then did it again……they literally turned my life upside down for the last 2 months and I will be at EVERY court appearance and have already talked to the DA in both cases….”
Cullen said the saga began on October 30 when shortly after he returned home from work around 9:30 p.m., he discovered that his car had been stolen from in front of his house in Chicopee after the suspects allegedly entered his home and took the keys.
He reported the theft to Chicopee police.
One week later, Cullen was pumping gas into his rental car, and he saw his grey Toyota Scion drive by!
“I [knew it was] my car because it’s a 10 Series Special Anniversary edition, special paint and wheels and there was only 3,500 made world wide,” said Cullen, who began to chase his Toyota while he called police.
The car thieves pulled over behind a little store and the passenger, a juvenile (who was known to Chicopee Police), said that the driver was Ricky Adams, who eluded police after taking off on foot.
The Chicopee police logs show that at 9:11 p.m. November 6, a stolen motor vehicle was recovered near the Fruit Fair Market located at 398 Front Street.
Allegedly Adams was charged with receiving stolen property via a summons, according to Cullen.
Cullen said during the week the car was allegedly in Adams’ possession, it sustained nearly $4,000 worth of damage.
Cullen paid the $500 deductible to his insurance company to repair the car but couldn’t afford to pay another $500 at that time to change the locks.
Shortly before new year’s, Cullen began to notice items missing from his Toyota Scion after being certain that he had locked the vehicle.
Just a day before he had an appointment to change the locks, his Toyota was stolen for the second time.
Cullen said that he and Chicopee police believed it was the same offenders who stole his car.
“I just think it’s beyond incredible that they stole it twice,” said Cullen. “I had never met or laid eyes on any of the three kids (Adams twice, the juvenile and LeBlanc) before any of this happened.”
Cullen, who has now had the locks changed and the vehicle’s computer reprogrammed, said, “This car is cursed but I love it.”
He plans to attend every court hearing to hopefully ensure justice is done.
Adams and LeBlace are due back in Westfield District Court on February 24.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
