South Hadley man pleaded not guilty in business thefts

DEERFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — From the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office:

 Man arraigned for thefts of items worth $100K in Deerfield and Northampton 

A South Hadley man Monday pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from thefts from businesses in Northampton and Deerfield. 

The indictments allege that Steven Skea, 64, broke into two businesses, making off with items valued over $100,000 on Oct. 28, 2023 and Aug. 20, 2023. Skea faces two counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime, two counts of larceny in a building and unlawful possession of a firearm without a permit. 

At the request of Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber, Hampshire Superior Court Judge Karen Goodwin set the next court hearing date for May 16 for a possible change of plea. Goodwin ordered Skea held without bail until that hearing. Skea is being represented by defense attorney Alfred Chamberland of Easthampton.