GREENFIELD — A man facing charges of kidnapping and other crimes stemming from a Feb. 1 incident was arraigned Friday afternoon in Franklin County Superior Court, where his case was transferred due to its severity.

Brian A. Chamberland, 38, of Athol, pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, and single counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and stealing by confining or putting in fear. His $1,000 bail from District Court was transferred to Superior Court, with no conditions of release.

He had posted bail after arraignment in Orange District Court, but failed to appear in Superior Court on Monday and it initially appeared he would miss Friday’s rescheduled appointment as well. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber, who is prosecuting this case for the state, asked Judge David Hodge to issue a default warrant for Chamberland’s arrest. He mentioned he had requested Chamberland be held without the right to bail due to a history of failing to appear. Hodge agreed to issue a warrant but opted to give Chamberland until the end of the day to show up. Chamberland arrived at roughly 3:45 p.m. on Friday.

Athol residents April A. McCassie, 41, James Murphy, 30, Franklin L. Payne and Ronald P. Mitchell III, 33, as well as Marlene M. Hill, 45, of Orange, all face similar charges in connection with this case.

According to police reports, a man visited the Athol Police Station at roughly 5:10 p.m. on Feb. 2 to report being assaulted the previous night and having several items stolen. The man had injuries to his hand, head, face and back.

The man told police he and a friend visited 32 Laurel St. at about 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 to try to purchase narcotics. According to police reports, McCassie accused the two men of being at 5 Sanders St. when items were stolen the previous night. The reporting victim later told police he and the other man had stolen clothes belonging to co-defendant Franklin L. Payne’s brother.

The victim told police that McCassie called Payne to inform him the other man was at the house. Two men — later identified as Chamberland and Murphy — then allegedly grabbed his friend and held him until Payne arrived. Payne allegedly assaulted both the reporting party and his friend, and forced the two to fight each other.

The victim told police the assault lasted about an hour and a half before a man and woman — later identified as Hill and Mitchell — removed him from the residence and took him to retrieve some of the stolen items.

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