Normal crimes involving bizarre weapons

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - An assault with a samurai sword, a robbery with a crossbow, two unconnected crimes that each involved some unusual weaponry.

Police were dispatched to Carew Street for an armed robbery at a convenience store early Saturday morning.

Detectives watched the surveillance video and the type of weapon the robber pointed directly at the clerk wasn't what they typically see.

Police told 22News that a man in a mask walked into the Quick Pic convenience store armed with a cross bow.

Residents say this crime is strange and shocking. I don't know where this world is coming to? It's gotten to be a modern Wild West. One minute it'll be crossbows and arrows and next thing grenades?” said Patty Robinson.

Or maybe a samurai sword? 36-year-old Norton Norzelin of Springfield allegedly wielded a 30 inch blade at three men at the Phillips 66 Service Station on Russell Street early Friday morning.

The Hadley Police Chief told22 news it was an odd weapon of choice, "It's definitely unique, it's dangerous. It's not the typical weapon you encounter,” said Chief Dennis Hukowicz of the Hadley Police Dept.

Pioneer Valley residents say they're puzzled by this bizarre weapon mini crime wave.

The alleged sword assault suspect, Norton Norzelin, was ordered to be evaluated at Bridgewater State Hospital and wasn’t able to harm anyone,

However Saturday morning's crossbow criminal dragged the clerk to the back of the store, tied him up and escaped with the cash from the register.

Police say the suspect is a medium to heavy set Hispanic man who was wearing a blue winter coat, a mask, and gloves, holding a cross bow.