On June 25th, at approximately 4pm, members of the Lee Police Department responded to a residence situated along the Main Street corridor in Lee for a reported home invasion and armed robbery. Police responded to the residence following an emergency 911 call. Upon arrival police found the victim inside the residence. The perpetrators fled prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Early investigation suggested there was more than one individual involved in the armed robbery. Evidence shows the perpetrators appear to have been looking for specific items. One of the perpetrators and victim were known to each other. This incident is not believed to be random. No one was physically injured during the incident.
To date, the Lee Police Department has sought and obtained arrest warrants for two suspects, K’Aunte Carnute (Pittsfield) and a Juvenile. The two individuals were arrested on June 26 and 27th by the Pittsfield Police Department in the City of Pittsfield, respectively.
On June 25th, Mr. Carnute was arrested and charged with:
- Home Invasion
- Armed Robbery (Firearm)
- Witness Intimidation
On Thursday, June 27th Mr. Carnute was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court for probation violation stemming from his May 6, 2024 convictions of Assault and Battery, Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member and Possession of a Class D Substance. The Defendant will be arraigned for the above charges in Southern Berkshire District Court on Monday, July 1st. He is currently being held without the right to bail in the Berkshire House of Corrections.
Sergeant Ben Towne, Officer William Zeininger, and Officer Matthew Tietgens were the initial responding Officers that started a preliminary investigation to ensure public safety. Lee Police Investigator William Pleu is assigned as the case as lead investigator. Members of the Pittsfield Police Department and the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office have assisted and are involved in this joint investigation. Both the arrests pursuant to the obtained warrants, occurred without incident in the City of Pittsfield on June 26th and June 27th. This matter is still under active investigation.