Update: West Springfield man being held in connection with suspected bomb threat in Adams

Sunday November 11, 2012

ADAMS - A West Springfield man is being held by Adams Police in connection with a suspected bomb threat that closed Park Street (Route 8) for over four hours on Sunday.

James V. Bourdon, 59, of Highland Avenue, West Springfield, was arrested early Sunday morning when Officers Thomas Cook and Joshua Baker responded to a call from an employee of the Daily Grind, reporting a "suspicious man" parked outside the local eatery, according to Police Chief Donald Poirot.

Police closed Park Street, from Hoosac to Center streets, at 7:50 a.m. and evacuated residents along the street after several "items of concern" were seen in the vehicle by the officers and then confirmed by Adams Fire Chief Paul J. Goyette.

Poirot stated that Bourdon did not indicate to officers that he had a bomb in his car, as previously reported.

State Fire Marshal Michael Mazza and several members of the State Police Bomb Squad, were brought in to investigate the vehicle.

Bourdon, who Poirot said was in town visiting his parents, has been charged with lewdness, open and gross indecent exposure and possession of an unsecured loaded weapon. Bourdon was taken to the Berkshire County House of Corrections and is expected to be arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Tuesday.

Police Chief Donald Poirot said Sunday afternoon that "at this time, it has been determined the vehicle did not possess anything that could cause any major catastrophe."

Poirot

declined to comment on what was removed from the vehicle, other than an "unsecured and loaded" rifle. Bourdon is properly licensed to carry a firearm and has no prior criminal record. Park Street was reopened at 11:38 a.m.

Goyette added that the departments decided to "err on the side of caution" when making the decision to shut down the street. Several business were forced to close and a service at the First Congregational Church was canceled by the road closure.

Daily Grind employees Becky and Marie Duprat, said they were preparing the restaurant for the early morning breakfast rush when they became aware of the man sitting in his car outside the eatery, near Armory Court.

They said they called the police because the man appeared to be masturbating inside of his vehicle.

Poirot said the investigation is ongoing and that other charges may be filed, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

A more complete version of this story will be available online and in print on Monday.