NORTHAMPTON — A 41-year-old tow truck driver from Ware is being held without right to bail following his arraignment in Hampshire Superior Court Tuesday on charges that he raped four people.
Arthur E. Salsbury Jr. pleaded not guilty to 11 charges — four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of rape, two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, unarmed robbery and assault and battery.
Salsbury was arrested and arraigned on similar charges in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown late last month after Granby Police issued a warrant for his arrest. They had been investigating two alleged sexual assaults that occurred on Feb. 23 and March 29 of this year, according to police. In both incidents, police said the women assaulted were picked up in neighboring communities and driven to the same location in Granby where they were assaulted. As part of the investigation, the police asked for the public’s help identifying the suspect. Multiple tips led them to a third victim and the towing company where Salsbury worked.
Shortly after Salsbury’s arrest, Granby Police Chief Alan Wishart said in a statement that Salsbury’s name was entered into a DNA database, which linked him to a sexual assault that occurred in Granby in 2009.
The charges stem from four different incidents involving four different people. Three of the four incidents are alleged to have occurred in Granby, according to court documents. One incident is alleged to have occurred in South Hadley.
A dangerousness hearing will be held Thursday morning in Hampshire Superior Court. Salsbury’s attorney David Mintz of Northampton objected to delaying the hearing two days but Judge John Agostini ruled in favor of the prosecution’s request. Agostini said he wanted a chance to review evidence the prosecution will submit ahead of time. The judge said he wanted the defense to have the same opportunity to allow for thoughtful arguments.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.