Charges for Amherst man in Aug. 10 burglary in Northampton

The Hampshire Grand Jury on Sept. 20 returned indictments against Yaazziel Rivera, age 18, of Amherst, charging him with:

• Unarmed burglary with assault upon an occupant (max penalty = life in prison, w/ 10yr. MM)
• Unarmed robbery of a person over 60 (max penalty = life in prison w/ no MM)
• A&B on a person over 60 (max penalty = 3yrs in prison)
• Threatening to commit a crime (max penalty = 6mos. In jail)

These charges stem from a burglary that occurred shortly after midnight on August 10, 2011, on North Street in Northampton. 

Rivera is alleged to have broken into a residence by removing an air conditioner from the window, after which he beat the 62-year-old resident unconscious when she awoke to use the bathroom.  He is alleged to have then stolen cash and jewelry from the house.

Northampton Police arrested Rivera later that day, after several witnesses reported that  Rivera had made statements admitting to the crime.  He was arraigned in Northampton District Court on August 11, 2011, and has been held without bail under the dangerousness statute (G.L. c. 276, sec. 58A).  He is due back in court this Friday, when he is expected to be arraigned on the new indictments in Superior Court. TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TUES., SEPT. 27 at 2 P.M.

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Steven E. Gagne and Assistant District Attorney Michael Russo.

Contact: Mary Carey at mary.carey@state.ma.us/(413)588-4274