On Tuesday, May 16th, Robert Dondi (50, 44 Melrose Avenue, Pittsfield) pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to a litany of charges stemming from criminal events including breaking and entering, larceny, receiving stolen property, motor vehicle larceny and common and notorious theft. Dondi was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Flannery. The charges and sentences are below.
A first case against Dondi occurred in May/June of 2022. On May 27, 2022, Pittsfield Police were dispatched to Cumberland Farms on 885 Dalton Avenue for reports of an individual asleep in a car. PPD ran the license plates on the motor vehicle and discovered it was stolen. Offices identified Dondi as the driver of the car. Dondi admitted that he knew the car was stolen but claimed he did not steal it. Dondi was placed under arrest and police conducted an inventory search of the vehicle. They discovered a black trash bag containing stolen items including jewelry, gift cards, collector coins, and purses. They matched items reported as stolen property from incidents on prior days. On June 24, 2022, Dondi broke into Haddad Nissan on West Housatonic Street around 11pm and stole a 2017 Subaru Outback. (The Subaru was located a few days later.) A little after 12am of the same evening (now early morning of June 25th) Dondi broke into Salon Experience on 489 Dalton Avenue and stole cash and salon products. Dondi was observed driving the stolen Subaru Outback to Salon Experience.
A second case Dondi pled guilty to occurred on October 31, 2022. Following the May/June 2022 crimes, Dondi was held in prison until he was released to a residential treatment facility in October. Less than 24 hours after entering treatment, Dondi left the facility. On October 31, 2022, Pittsfield Police were dispatched to Unique Vape Shop at 895 Dalton Avenue around 7:30am after a store alarm went off. The perpetrator was not at the scene when police arrived. At 9am Pittsfield Police received reports of a stolen black Chevrolet Silverado from 442 Merrill Road. Dondi was tied to both the break in, and the stolen motor vehicle based on surveillance video.
District Attorney Shugrue thanks the victims involved in the case for their cooperation. Shugrue stated, “Theft in our community, even from one person, affects our entire community. Those who commit larceny in must be held accountable.”
Assistant District Attorney Megan Rose represented the Commonwealth. Victim Witness Advocate Director Jane Kibby-Pierce served as an advocate on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office. Pittsfield Police were the law enforcement agency involved in the case.
Case 1: Charges and Sentences
| COUNT | CHARGE/STATUTE | Sentence
|
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
|
Breaking and entering nighttime for felony – MGL c. 266 § 16
Breaking and entering nighttime for felony – MGL c. 266 § 16
Larceny from a building – MGL c. 266 § 20
Receiving stolen property + $1200 – MGL c. 266 § 60
Receiving stolen property + $1200 – MGL c. 266 § 60
Motor Vehicle, Receive stolen – MGL c. 266 § 28(a)
Motor Vehicle, larceny of, subsequent. off – MGL c. 266 § 28(a)
Common and notorious thief – MGL c. 266 § 40
Common and notorious thief – MGL c. 266 § 40 |
5 – 7 years state prison
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
4 – 5 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
4 – 5 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
4 – 5 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. ct. 1)
|
Case 2: Charges and Sentences
| COUNT | CHARGE/STATUTE | Sentence |
| 1
2
3 |
Breaking and entering daytime for felony – MGL c. 266 § 18
Larceny from a building – MGL c. 266 § 20
Motor Vehicle, larceny of, subsequent off – MGL c. 266 § 28(a) |
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. w/ indictment 2276CR0102)
4 – 5 years state prison (concur. w/ ct. 1)
5 – 7 years state prison (concur. w/ ct. 1)
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