Pittsfield couple face charges in narcotics theft Duo allegedly lured neighbors away

PITTSFIELD – Police this weekend arrested a husband and wife who reportedly lured people from a neighboring apartment with an invitation to play darts and then burglarized a number of narcotic medications from the couple’s apartment.

Jason Knowlton, 25, and Rene Knowlton, 27, were charged with theft and burglary by Officer Rodney Minoty late Saturday. The incident happened last week at Pittsfield Garden Apartments.

According to Minoty, Jason Knowlton had given the apartment owner and her child a ride to a Christmas concert, leaving several friends behind. Knowlton’s wife, Rene, allegedly invited the friends to the Knowlton apartment to play darts. Knowing that his friend’s home was unoccupied, Jason Knowlton then entered the apartment and took more than 50 Vicodin, a prescription narcotic medication, said Minoty.

A friend of the apartment owner discovered Knowlton sitting on a bed in the home.

The pills have a street value of about $10 a pill, said the officer.

Charges are still pending against Jason Knowlton for the burglary and theft of Pittsfield Pharmacy earlier this year when hundreds of narcotic medications, including OxyContin, were taken.

Knowlton remains in Somerset County jail on a probation hold, while his wife is free on bail.