UNCASVILLE, Conn.Casino bus driver charged in death of pedestrian

A Massachusetts man who was driving a casino tour bus that struck and killed a pedestrian at Mohegan Sun last year has been arrested in the death, Connecticut state police said.

Lin Qi Si, 39, of Braintree, Mass., was charged last week with failure to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk and negligent homicide with a motor vehicle. He is free on a promise to appear for a Dec. 19 hearing in Norwich Superior Court.

A phone listing for Si could not be found.

The bus struck 62-year-old Pui Yi Li of New York City in front of the Mohegan Tribal Public Safety building as she was walking to work at the casino on Dec. 5, 2012. She suffered massive head injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The investigation by state police determined that the pedestrian was struck in a crosswalk after Si turned left on a green light.

Si told police he did not see Li until he struck her, and the investigation found that his view may have been partially obstructed. But an investigator said it was the bus driver’s responsibility to adjust for blind spots, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

NATICK, Mass.Police: Mall security guard belonged to shoplifting ring

Police say a man hired to provide security at a Natick Mall department store was actually a member of a shoplifting ring who looked the other way while his associates tried to steal merchandise.

Kurt Hampe was released on $200 bail after pleading not guilty Monday to charges of larceny and conspiracy to commit a crime.

The MetroWest Daily News reports that the 23-year-old Quincy man was arrested last week after Macy’s security was tipped off to his alleged scheme. Police say four people entered the store and loaded up carriages with $7,000 worth of merchandise, including men’s shirts, women’s suits and a cellphone, while Hampe walked around ignoring them.

He was tied to the alleged shoplifters through Facebook and cellphone texting records. The other four will be summoned to court.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.Beetle that kills ash trees found in state for first time

The invasive emerald ash borer beetle that’s killed millions of ash trees nationwide has been detected in eastern Massachusetts for the first time.

State environmental officials announced Monday that evidence of the shiny green insect native to Asia was detected in North Andover last month and confirmed by federal officials.

The tiny bugs have been detected in 22 states and were first found in Massachusetts earlier this year in Berkshire County.

Emerald ash borer larvae feed just below the bark and adults eat the leaves. Once the beetles hit a tree, it’s as good as dead within five years.

State officials say the goal now is to determine the extent of the North Andover infestation and contain it.

MARBLEHEAD, Mass.Man sentenced for raping woman, posting photos

A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to five to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman and posting photographs of his acts on Facebook.

Prosecutors said 44-year-old Reid Jones of Marblehead pleaded guilty Tuesday in Salem Superior Court to rape, indecent assault and battery, identity theft and photographing an unsuspecting nude person.

Prosecutors said Jones posted the semi-nude photos on a fake Facebook page he created in the woman’s name. They said the victim didn’t know what had happened and went to police when she found out about the posting. Investigators discovered more photos on Jones’ computer showing the rape.

The Salem News reports Judge Howard Whitehead in court Tuesday called the crime “particularly malicious.”

— From news service reports