Personalized chopsticks help catch thief

Personalized chopsticks, flat-screen television allegedly link Maurice Edwards of Amherst to assault and robbery

By BOB DUNN Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 (Published in print: Thursday, March 28, 2013)NORTHAMPTON — A pair of personalized chopsticks and a flat-screen television allegedly link a 22-year-old Amherst man to a January assault and robbery. Maurice Edwards, of 170 East Hadley Road, pleaded not guilty in Hampshire Superior Court Monday to charges of unarmed robbery, assault and battery, and larceny from a building before Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder. Edwards was held on $2,500 cash bail. According to court records, on Jan. 5, Edwards was a guest in a Northampton home when an argument began.

Edwards allegedly hit another man repeatedly and was later seen leaving the home carrying a flat-screen television. Later that night, Edwards was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police. Inside the vehicle was the TV reportedly taken by Edwards and other items including a pair of personalized chopsticks allegedly belonging to the victim. Edwards is due back in court June 21 for a pre-trial hearing.

So dramatic story!