BERNARDSTON — Two men are being charged with larceny under $1,200, destruction of property and trespassing for allegedly stealing hemp plants in Bernardston.
David H. Brown, 41, of Springfield and Robert L. Perry Jr., 26, of Feeding Hills, were arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Friday following an investigation by Bernardston Police.
According to a report from Bernardston Police Officer Curtis Weaver, he was dispatched to Brattleboro Road on Sept. 23 for “an unknown issue.” He observed two vehicles, with one pickup truck blocking both lanes of travel to prevent the other vehicle, a black Dodge Journey SUV, from passing.
Weaver observed “a black garbage bag with what appeared to be hemp plants sticking out of it, laying in the road” near the Dodge Journey. According to Weaver’s report, the property owner, who was in the pickup truck, told him that Brown, Perry and two other individuals were “stealing hemp out of their field.”
Weaver also observed two sets of scissors and a razor blade knife on the floor of the Dodge Journey below Brown’s feet. He said officers had Brown and Perry exit their vehicle and observed their boots to be “muddy and dirty.”
In concluding his investigation, Weaver determined that Brown and Perry had “been involved in the larceny of the hemp plants.” He gave them instructions on being summoned to court and they were released from the scene.
Assistance was provided by the Northfield and Greenfield Police departments, and Massachusetts State Police.
Both Brown and Perry paid $150 in fees and will return to court for pretrial conferences on Feb. 6, 2020.
The same charges for the other two passengers were dropped following their arraignment on Friday.
Reach Zack DeLuca at 413-772-0261, ext. 264 or zdeluca@recorder.com.