City Woman Breaks into SUV, Leads Police on Foot Chase

A Pittsfield woman faces multiple charges after allegedly stealing a key to an SUV and using it to break into the vehicle and stealing nearly $1,000 cash from inside, then leading police on a foot chase while in handcuffs yesterday.

According to The Berkshire Eagle Shannon Sciola, 23, was arrested after Pittsfield Police arrived to North Street at about 12:45 p.m Sunday, responding to a motor vehicle break in. The victim told police that Sciola had previously stolen the key to the vehicle and that about $950 cash was taken from the SUV, described the suspect to officers and informed them of the direction she ran.

Officers located Sciola in the woods near North Street and she was placed under arrest.  Sciola then admitted that she took the money and offered to show officers where she had hidden it, yet when officers checked that location, the money was gone.

Upon arriving back to the station, Sciola allegedly took off running and managed to free one of her hands from the cuffs she was wearing.  Officers chased after the suspect, and caught up with her in the Berkshire Plaza Hotel parking lot.

Although the cash was never recovered by Officers, it's reported that Sciola was allegedly bailed out after her arrest with cash in the same denominations as that of the stolen cash.

Sciola entered pleas of not guilty in Central Berkshire District Court on Tuesday to charges of daytime felony breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, larceny under $1,200, disorderly conduct, escape from a police officer and receiving stolen property valued under $1,200. Judge Jennifer Tyne released on her personal recognizance. Sciola is due back in court Aug. 1 for a pretrial hearing.