Most Massachusetts residents anticipated a messy morning commute on Wednesday, but will the same be true for the evening?

Most Massachusetts residents anticipated a messy morning commute on Wednesday, but will the same be true for the evening?

Less likely, but possible. For those driving home between 3-5 p.m., there is still the potential for messiness in Eastern Massachusetts. But the likelihood of snowfall dwindles in the central and western parts of the state during that same timeframe. Forecast data provided by the National Weather Service shows the hour-by-hour chances for precipitation Wednesday afternoon.

Massachusetts to see snow and 'wintry mix' Wednesday

In the Greater Boston area, snow will taper off sometime between 1-4 p.m. The precipitation potential (likelihood for snow and rain) drops to 54 percent by 3 p.m in Boston and gradually declines each hour. By 7 p.m., the chance of snow/rain along the East Coast falls below 20 percent.

In Western and Central Massachusetts, snow will stop earlier. In Worcester, the chance for precipitation is a little less than 50 percent by 2 p.m., and drops 10 percentage points each hour. In most of Western Massachusetts, the chance of snow by 5 p.m. is less than 15 percent.

School closings and delays for Massachusetts for Jan. 16 and 17

The Mass. Department of Transportation pre-treated major roads on Tuesday, and deployed more than 1800 pieces of equipment across the state on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson. The department also reduced the speed limit on a strip of I-90 in Western Massachusetts to 40 mph.

For seasoned New Englanders, it is unlikely snow totals of less than one foot will wreak too much havoc on drivers heading home Wednesday night.

Westfield City Hall opening at 11 a.m., Westfield State University and public schools closed

WESTFIELD -- City Hall will open at 11 a.m. today to allow time for roads to be cleared.

A parking ban is in effect across the city and will remain in effect until further notice.

Motorists are prohibited from parking on city streets until plowing has ceased. Any vehicle not in compliance with the ban is subject to towing.

Parking is allowed in the city parking lots.

Westfield schools, the Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield State University, Westfield YMCA Nursery School and the Westfield Senior Center are closed today.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders pointed out that these sites are federally illegal.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday voiced skepticism about the idea of safe injection sites, where a person can come to inject themselves with illegal drugs in a hygienic environment with oversight by trained staff.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said during testimony before a legislative committee that she is "interested in understanding more" about the idea.

Baker responded, "I'm a little more skeptical."

"The biggest problem I have with it is as far as the data I see is concerned, it has not demonstrated any legitimate success in creating a pathway to treatment," Baker said.

Baker said the argument about harm reduction is a better one, but "I'll be a hard sell on that too."

Baker and Sudders were asked about safe injection sites by Rep. Dylan Fernandes, D-Falmouth, at a hearing before the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery on an opioid-related bill that Baker introduced.

A bill introduced by Sen. Will Brownsberger, D-Belmont, S.1081, would allow the Department of Public Health to approve "safer drug consumption programs" proposed by cities and towns. Under that bill, sites could be set up where people could bring drugs and use them under the supervision of health care professionals. The professionals could provide clean needles, referral to treatment, and protection against overdose deaths.

The Massachusetts Medical Society came out in support of the idea of piloting supervised injection sites overseen by a proposed new state task force that could evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

"As citizens, we understand that idea of a space in which an individual can inject drugs already in their possession may be met with initial reticence by some; but as physicians, we cannot ignore the evidence-based arguments that point to SIFs as a roadblock to death and a conduit to treatment," Massachusetts Medical Society president Henry Dorkin said in a statement in September.

The Medical Society pointed to data from Vancouver that showed a reduction in overdose mortality by 35 percent for those who used a safe injection site and a 30 percent increase in the rate of individuals who seek detoxification treatment.

Sudders said 11 countries have some safe injection site legislation on the books and eight have actually implemented it - though sometimes in only one or two cities. There is legislation pending in Vermont, California, Seattle, Denver and Philadelphia.

But Sudders said the problem is safe injection sites are "completely illegal federally." In particular, she said, it is illegal for a medical professional to be in the presence of someone injecting themselves with heroin.

She noted that safe injection sites are different from needle exchanges, which the administration does support.

Boston currently has a site where nurses monitor people while they are high. But people are not allowed to do drugs in the room.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Ryan Sceviour woke up nervous Tuesday morning, grabbed a phone and called his attorney, Leonard Kesten. Watch video

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Ryan Sceviour woke up nervous Tuesday morning, grabbed a phone and called his attorney, Leonard Kesten.

"You won't believe what happened last night," the trooper told his lawyer.

Sceviour, the trooper who was ordered to redact the arrest report of a judge's daughter, had just helped book a prosecutor for the Worcester County District Attorney's Office on drunken driving charges.

"He called me, because he really had no part of this other than that he happened to be on the desk," Kesten said, referring to Sceviour working the desk at the Holden barracks for the State Police. "He's never wanted to be famous or to be known, now when he is on the desk they happen to arrest an ADA from Worcester County and the ADA says some stuff."

Prosecutor John O'Leary, who works in the white collar crimes division for Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.'s office, was arrested Monday night on Interstate 290 when Trooper Gregory Zanni responded to reports of an erratic driver.

The "stuff" that O'Leary, who has been suspended without pay, allegedly told the trooper was that he was a prosecutor. O'Leary's 13-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the 7:40 p.m. traffic stop, arrest reports on file in Westborough District Court say.

When O'Leary was brought back to the Holden barracks to be booked, he began to taunt Zanni and pretend to not hear the questions he asked, Zanni wrote in his report. Sceviour then entered the room to help get information from O'Leary.

"He was concerned, is someone going to make a thing out of it?" Kesten said.

Sceviour was ordered to redact statements made by Alli Bibaud, the daughter of Dudley District Court Judge Timothy Bibaud, when he arrested her on driving under the influence charges in October.

The trooper's report contained statements made by Bibaud where she said her father was a judge and she performed sex acts to get drugs. Bibaud, according to police reports, also offered sex in exchange for leniency.

Sceviour and Trooper Ali Rei, who responded to the Bibaud arrest, are now suing their supervisors for being forced to redact Bibaud's reports in her arrest. Now-former Col. Richard McKeon retired after the forced redactions came to light. His second-in-command also resigned.

Sceviour and Rei were both reprimanded in the Bibaud case, but the reprimands were then removed from their records.

The trooper in the O'Leary case did everything right, by adding comments allegedly made by O'Leary about him being a prosecutor in the arrest report, Kesten said.

Prosecutors for Early's office said there was an ethical obligation to remove the "embarrassing" comments and details from Bibaud's arrest. Kesten questioned why Early's office then didn't so the same for O'Leary.

Troopers are trained to include all statements relative to the arrest and will continue to do it, Kesten said.

"I have seen hundreds if not thousands of police reports and hundreds of them have contained statements just like the ones in the Bibaud case and nobody has had a problem with them," Kesten said. "They were appropriately included and I am pleased to see the State Police are continuing to do their jobs."

Kesten still believes apologies should be issued to the troopers disciplined in the Bibaud case.

Sceviour has no plans to ask for a transfer out of any barracks located in Worcester County. Kesten said his client has his "head up high" and he's received positive feedback for pushing back.

"He's going to continue to do his job and I hope people realize that is what he was doing," Kesten said. 

Juan Arroyo was last known to be in the Oak Grove Avenue area, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. He is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown hair.

SPRINGFIELD - Police are seeking the public's help as they work to find a 14-year-old boy who has been missing since Nov. 21.

Juan Arroyo was last known to be in the Oak Grove Avenue area, according to  a post on the department's Facebook page. He is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown hair.

Those with information are asked to call detective Monet Clark-Hicks at the department's Youth Aid Bureau and s at 413-750-2253.

A 21-year-old Rhode Island man is facing robbery and assault and battery charges after allegedly following a Twin River Casino patron 43 miles back to her home in Quincy before attacking her.

A 21-year-old Rhode Island man is facing robbery and assault and battery charges after allegedly following a Twin River Casino patron 43 miles back to her home in Quincy before attacking her.

On Nov. 10, the victim -- a 61-year-old woman -- finished a visit to the Lincoln, R.I. casino by cashing out her chips at a cashier's window. It was there that Ty Shon Forbes allegedly took notice of her and began stalking her with the intent to rob her, the Rhode Island State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit said in a press release.

Forbes allegedly trailed her by car from Rhode Island to Quincy.

When the woman returned home and exited her car, she was attacked by a young man who she recognized from the casino, she told Quincy Police at the time.

"The suspect threw her to the ground and stole her handbag," Quincy Police said in November. "After stealing her bag, the suspect ran across the street and entered a small black motor vehicle that was waiting for him."

The woman sustained serious injuries in the attack, including broken vertebrae, R.I. State Police said.

In a joint investigation, Quincy detectives and R.I. gaming enforcement troopers identified Forbes as the assailant, police said. He was already in custody on unrelated charges and has been transferred to Quincy for arraignment in Quincy District Court.

Nationwide, more than 2,000 flights have been delayed Wednesday and nearly 1,000 flights canceled. Watch video

WINDSOR LOCKS -- Bradley International Airport is finishing its cleanup from Wednesday's winter storm and is open and operating. 

The airport is still seeing delays and cancellations as airlines adjust schedules in response to the storm.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline regarding flight itineraries and any potential rebooking options before heading to the airport, officials said. 

Nationwide, more than 2,000 flights have been delayed Wednesday and nearly 1,000 flights canceled, according to the website flightaware.

pic.twitter.com/XuUAQYEKfP

-- Bradley Intl Airport (@Bradley_Airport) January 17, 2018

Bradley said Wednesday real-time flight status updates are available on its website, www.flybdl.org. Twitter users can also receive automated updates by tweeting their flight number @BDLFlightInfo. 

As of 11:25 a.m., the airport's website listed all flights scheduled to depart after 1:30 pm. as on time. 

Wilbraham has received a $26,150 grant from MassWildlife's Habitat Management Program to improve pitch pine habitat at the Twelve Mile Brook Conservation Area off Crane Hill Road.

WILBRAHAM -- The Town of Wilbraham is among several Massachusetts communities to receive funding from MassWildlife's Habitat Management Grant Program for fiscal year 2018.

The town will use its $26,150 grant to improve pitch pine habitat at the Twelve Mile Brook Conservation Area off Crane Hill Road. The site is home to many recreational activities, including multiple hiking trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and an 18-hole disc golf course, among other features.

The conservation area's Summit Trail is a steep, continual climb to the top, which is a good 620 feet up.

MassWildlife awarded a total of $506,856 in grants for 18 habitat improvement projects across the state totaling 950 acres, including the Twelve Mile Brook project.

In fiscal 2016, Wilbraham was awarded a total of $40,444 in MassWildlife Habitat grants for two projects, including $28,844 to treat invasive plants, improve young forest habitat, and install shelter for wildlife at Twelve Mile Brook and $11,600 to treat invasive species and improve meadow and old field habitats at the Thayer Brook Conservation Area.

That fiscal year's funding included over $320,000 in grants for 13 wildlife habitat improvement projects across the state.

The suspect entered the Racing Mart at 1013 St. James Ave. on Dec. 29, shortly before 1:15 p.m., according to a post on the department's Facebook page. He pointed a gun at the clerk but did not get away with anything.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are seeking the public's help as they work to identify a male suspected of attempting to rob a convenience store on St. James Avenue at gunpoint last month.

The suspect entered the Racing Mart at 1013 St. James Ave. on Dec. 29, shortly before 1:15 p.m., according to a post on the department's Facebook page. He pointed a gun at the clerk but did not get away with anything.

The with information are asked to call the department's Major Crimes Unit at 413-787-6355.

Expansion plans for the space include workshop, classroom and meeting spaces along with a kid-sized Black Box Theater which will seat 63.

SPRINGFIELD -- It has been a "temporary" home for the last 30 years. Now it is permanent: The Drama Studio will expand just down the hallway at 41 Oakland St. after buying the former St. Barnabas and All Saints Episcopal Church.

Supporters of the youth acting conservatory raised $300,000 toward the purchase price of $325,000, and all of the church will become The Drama Studio. Classes and productions have been held in a rented space at the rear of the church in the Forest Park neighborhood since 1987.

The purchase from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts closed in December.

"We discovered that Oakland Street was a lovely spot for us," said The Drama Studio founder Steve Hays. "It is convenient to the market that we serve and the parents who come here.

"Most of all it gives us a facility that is useful for us. Since we have been here for 30 years, we know everything about it, so we thought this would be the best place to purchase for ourselves," he said.

Expansion plans for the space include workshop, classroom and meeting spaces along with a kid-sized Black Box Theater that will seat 63.

The studio serves more than 250 students a year with classes and performances. Signatures of former actors can be seen scribbled on inside of stage walls and in the projection area of the theater.

"The Drama Studio is a very special place," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. "I know first-hand as my youngest daughter Chiara participated in the program. Steve Hays and team have done a tremendous job not only in enhancing our youths, but just as important bringing them at times out of their shell too."

The mayor was on hand to help accept the ceremonial key to the building.

Residents are asked to remove all trash and recycling containers from the treebelt until 6 a.m. Thursday, according to DPW officials, who say residents are responsible for replacing carts that get damaged from being left at the curb.

AGAWAM -- The Agawam DPW is asking city residents to comply with some simple snowstorm-related guidelines.

The citywide parking ban remains in effect until midnight tonight, which means no street parking until the ban is lifted.

Secondly, all trash and recycling collection has been cancelled today due to the snowstorm.

Residents are asked to remove all trash and recycling containers from the treebelt until 6 a.m. Thursday, according to DPW officials, who say residents are responsible for replacing carts that get damaged from being left at the curb.  

For the remainder of this week, all remaining trash and recycling collections will be delayed by one day, with Friday collections set to be picked up on Saturday.

The driveshaft dug into the roadway and the force of the impact tore the rear wheels right out from underneath the truck, police said.

SOUTHWICK - A Department of Public Works employee, plowing snow on Vining Hill Road early Wednesday, narrowly escaped injury when the dump truck's driveshaft dropped and dug into the roadway, launching its rear end into the air.

"The force of the impact tore the rear wheels right out from underneath the truck," police stated in a post on the Police Department's Facebook page.

The driver, Scott Martin did everything he could to control the truck until he could get it stopped, police said.

Martin, other than being extremely shaken up was not injured, according to the post.

Springfield is preparing to hire a design engineering firm for an estimated $3 million culvert repair project at the entrance to Forest Park following the culvert's collapse last June.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city is preparing to hire a design engineering firm for an estimated $3 million culvert repair project at the entrance to Forest Park in the aftermath of the culvert's collapse last year.

The culvert collapse last July triggered a month-long closure of the entrance road off Sumner Avenue to vehicles and pedestrians, and the diversion of traffic to the Route 5 entrance. 

Bids submitted by design companies are scheduled to be opened on Thursday for services that include the design of repairs and rehabilitation of the Main Greeting Road embankment and Swan Pond outlet, city officials said.

The major repairs are slated to begin no later than June 2018, said Patrick J. Sullivan, the city's director of parks, buildings and recreation management. The timetable for completion is not yet determined, he said.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced in October that the state would fund the $3 million cost to repair and rehabilitate the culvert and conduit, the embankment and road.

"We are grateful to Gov. Baker and Secretary of Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton for coming forward with the money," Sullivan said this week. "They saw the urgency to this need. Because of their quick action, we are able to respond and keep public safety at Forest Park in the forefront."

Main Greeting Road reopened Aug. 28, after it was deemed safe pending the permanent repairs. The safety review involved geotechnical testing by GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. The opening of the road included requirements for monitoring the Swan Pond water level and inspections for slope erosion or other instability, officials said.

At the time of the reopening, the city had spent approximately $70,000 to deal with the problem, including the cost of an engineering study, officials said.

The current request for proposals from design engineering firms says the design fee cannot exceed $300,000, as 10 percent of the estimated cost of construction.

Earlier this month, Hampshire College graduate Judy Bornstein partnered with the college to create the Women in Business program.

AMHERST - The word "business" might not be the first word people say when they think of Hampshire College, where students create their own majors and get evaluations instead of grades.

But business - Hampshire style - is part of the college educational fabric.

"In recent years, there has been an increased interest among our students in gaining business and leadership skills," Eva Rueschmann, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, said in an email.

"In any given year, we have more than 100 students who take courses in the broad fields of business and entrepreneurship and incorporate those interests into their individually designed, often interdisciplinary concentrations."

Earlier this month, Hampshire College graduate Judy Bornstein donated $250,000 to endow the Women in Business program.

That financial support will fund, "in perpetuity, courses, programs, and research that promote women's participation and leadership in business, at a time when Hampshire's business-related programs are attracting record numbers of students - particularly women, first-generation students, and students of color," according to a college press release.

In 2012, Bornstein offered a $55,000 pilot gift that funded a course on women's experiences in business that continues to be offered. The new endowment builds from that.

Bornstein, who graduated from Hampshire in 1986, is chief financial officer of Generate Capital, a specialty finance company in San Francisco. She is also a member of Hampshire's board of trustees.

She told college officials she wanted more young women to know that a career in business doesn't necessarily mean working with greedy people in three-piece suits.

"Businesses are complex organizations, many of them are guided by values and are solving real-world problems," she told them. "Women have the disposition to be ideal leaders in business, because we're conditioned to be collaborative, social, interdependent. Those skills make businesses run."

Rueschmann wrote that she is "delighted and deeply grateful" to Bornstein.

The endowment will pay for an "annual course, research, guest speakers, internship and travel funds, that promote and examine women's participation and leadership in business." This fall, the money paid for a class called "Using Stories of Powerhouse Women to Explore and Challenge the Wage, Confidence and Funding Gaps."

Rueschmann wrote, "The college offers related courses in our curriculum that specifically address women in the workforce, such as Women in Game Programming and Women's Work in the Global Economy. Together these courses take a critical look at gender and wage inequities in the workforce and encourage women to develop the confidence and leadership to enter often male-dominated businesses, employing their values-driven thinking, problem-solving skills and critical perspective that are the hallmark of a Hampshire education."

Before pursuing her master's degree at Simmons College, Bornstein was an elementary school teacher and math specialist. She began her business career as a secretary, went back to school for her business degree, and advanced her way through management, according to a press release.

The rubber bracelets are being sold by the Zanetti School Student Council for $1 each.

SPRINGFIELD -- Sporting bright blue and white rubber bands on their wrists, Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School first graders Ethan Trujillo, Keannie Rentas and Naylaniz Rosa were excited to purchase them from the student council.

"I saved up money to buy one," Keannie said.

"Me too, I used money I had saved. I got two," Naylaniz said of the bracelets that are being sold to raise money for Puerto Rican evacuee students in the Springfield Public Schools.

Since Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico in September, nearly 600 students have enrolled in district schools, with about 800 total in Western Massachusetts.

At Zanetti, there are four Puerto Rican evacuee students including 9-year-old Victor Hernandez. He arrived at the school two  months ago from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Victor said living in Springfield has been very different, from experiencing snow for the first time to learning a new language. Still, he has made new friends, is getting along well with his classmates and adjusting to the cold.

"I saw snow for the first time, and I am learning English slowly. Here we have before- and after-school programs. I didn't have that in Puerto Rico," he told a reporter in Spanish.

Like most of the island, Guaynabo was heavily damaged by the hurricane.

"I came with my mom, and I think we are going to be staying here forever, but we will go back to visit," Victor said. "I mostly miss my cousins."

On Tuesday during their lunch period, Salim Auston, 11, and Kaelani Sharif- Marshall, 12, sat at a table in the cafeteria and sold the blue bracelets that read in white lettering, "Students in Springfield Supporting Puerto Rico," with a Puerto Rican flag.

The bracelets were purchased by Maureen Ryan, a Zanetti teacher.

"We did something similar for a teacher who had cancer, and we decided to present the idea to our student council," said physical education teacher Susan Snow.

"It feels good to be able to do these types of fundraisers," Kaelani said.

She said the student council chose the colors and the phrase for the bracelets.

"We wanted red, white and blue for the Puerto Rican flag colors, but we could only choose two colors," she said.

Salim said there are 300 bracelets selling for $1 each.

"I think we will sell a lot of them," he said. "I like doing these projects because they are really fun and they help people."

Owners of the forthcoming American bistro, The Meeting House, received approval from the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to serve alcohol.

LONGMEADOW - The owners of a restaurant planned for the former Hu Ke Lau now have state approval to serve alcohol when they open.

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission on Tuesday issued a full liquor license for The Meeting House, said attorney Daniel Kelly, who represents owners Longmeadow Hospitality LLC.

The restaurant is expected to open in the spring. It must pass health and safety inspections after renovations are complete.

The state approval came after Kelly and Jeanette Norman, who heads Longmeadow Hospitality, received town approval last month, despite the misgivings of two Longmeadow Select Board members.

The board initially denied Norman a license Sept. 18 because paperwork was incomplete. During a Dec. 18 meeting, two of the five board members voted against issuing the license because Longmeadow Hospitality's liquor license application lacked items like fire safety inspections and approval from the town's health department.

Representatives of the new restaurant said since the Hu Ke Lau closed in January 2016, they had gutted the building but had not finished construction of the interior. Building it out without the liquor license, they argued, would create the risk that they could finish construction only to be denied the ability to serve alcohol.

Described as an American bistro, The Meeting House will occupy almost 4,300 square feet inside, Kelly said. Maximum occupancy will be 195 people, and the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

"Mayor Reichelt's 2nd Inaugural Ball" is set for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Storrowton Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Will Reichelt is inviting the public to attend "a fun-filled evening" to celebrate the start of his second term.

"Mayor Reichelt's 2nd Inaugural Ball" is slated for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Storrowton Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

There will be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar for the event featuring business attire. Tickets are $25 for one person, $50 for two people, $75 for three, and $100 for four.

Tickets may be purchased online at spark.widgetmakr.com. 

Facing no challenger, Reichelt glided to a second term in November, his first as mayor for a four-year term. West Side voters last year approved a ballot question to extend the term of mayor from two to four years.

A 19-year-old male from West Warren, convicted of perpetrating a home invasion against an elderly Ware woman who he used to work for, was given an eight- to 10-year prison sentence by a Hampshire Superior Court judge on Tuesday.

WARE -- A 19-year-old male from West Warren, convicted of perpetrating a home invasion against an elderly Ware woman he used to work for, was given an eight- to 10-year prison sentence by a Hampshire Superior Court judge on Tuesday.

Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that Kyle Decell was sentenced by Judge Richard Carey, who ruled that Decell will be placed on probation for six years after his release from prison, and that he is barred from contacting the victim and her husband.

According to Ware police, Decell robbed a 78-year old woman at knifepoint a year ago inside her Malbouef Road residence. The crime took place Jan. 6, 2017.

Police captured Decell in less than an hour, after receiving an emergency call.

Decell was charged with assaulting a person over 60 while in possession of a knife, home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling, armed and masked robbery, intimidation of a witness and armed assault with intent to rob a person over 60.

The Gazette reported that Decell pleaded guilty Tuesday to intimidation of a witness, home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling and armed assault with intent to rob a person over 60.

Police are investigating are investigating a number of break-ins in the South Lane area, including one several weeks ago in which two guns were taken.

GRANVILLE -- Police are investigating a number of break-ins in the South Lane area, including one several weeks ago in which two guns were stolen.

"We have had a rash of break-ins," said Police Chief Scott Flebotte. "Probably one a week for the last three or four weeks."

All of the break-ins were forced entry and most have occurred during the day, Flebotte said.

Police are mounting extra patrols and urge residents to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

Police posted an item regarding the break-ins on the department's Facebook page. South Lane is in the southern part of town near the Southwick line.

35-year-old Thomas Huggins alleged robbery spree began on Jan. 10, when police responded to a report of a hold-up at a Quality Market in Brighton.

A Mattapan man suspected of robbing convenience stores, a Papa John's pizzeria and a Cricket Wireless was arrested Tuesday after a "violent struggle" with officers, Boston police said Wednesday.

35-year-old Thomas Huggins alleged robbery spree began on Jan. 10, when police responded to a report of a hold-up at a Quality Market in Brighton.

"On arrival, officers spoke to store employees who stated that a black male and black female entered the store," Boston Police said in a statment. "Employees stated that, once inside, the black male approached the counter, displayed a firearm, and demanded money."

The man and woman took the cash and left the store. While officers quickly arrested the female suspect, Huggins evaded capture and went on to rob other businesses, police said.

He allegedly committed at least six additional armed robberies in Brighton and Mattapan, according to police, including robbing adjacent Papa John's and Cricket Wireless locations within minutes of each other. 

Around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Boston police found and arrested Huggins, who was hiding in a closet and allegedly was combative with officers while they attempted to bring him into custody.

"Officers were eventually able to place Huggins into custody and recover a loaded 9mm Ruger pistol from his residence," police said.

Huggins is scheduled for arraignment today in Brighton District Court on an armed robbery warrant, and investigators are seeking additional charges for the subsequent robberies and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.