by Guy Page

Vermont law enforcement agencies were kept busy this week with a string of high-profile arrests, including a dramatic high-speed pursuit in Berlin and Barre, multiple felony charges in Lowell, and several drug-related incidents across the state.

115 MPH in Berlin leads to driving, drug charges

In the early hours of Friday morning, Berlin Police attempted to stop a vehicle operating erratically on Airport Road. The driver, later identified as Sara Whritenour, 38, of Hinesburg, refused to stop, initiating a chase that reached speeds of 115 MPH and spanned Berlin, Barre Town, and Barre City.

According to police, Whritenour had a criminally suspended license, was violating court-ordered conditions, and was believed to be in possession of crack cocaine. Officers successfully deployed a spike strip, deflating the vehicle’s front tires, but Whritenour continued driving for miles before crashing into a residential yard and fleeing on foot.

Two officers were injured during the foot pursuit. Whritenour resisted arrest and was later found to have five outstanding warrants with charges ranging from felony cocaine possession to retail theft and DUI.

She was cited to appear in Washington County Court on Friday afternoon to face eight new charges, including eluding police, gross negligent operation, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest.

Armed confrontation and assault in Lowell

On Wednesday, Vermont State Police responded to a report of an armed altercation at a residence on Tenakee Lane in Lowell. Witnesses reported that Jason Metras, 47, of Troy, and Patrick Debonville, 30, of Wolcott, arrived at the home and began smashing windows and threatening residents.

Debonville, a convicted felon, allegedly pointed a firearm at a 75-year-old man, John Bean, while demanding a weapon. Metras and Debonville fled but were later apprehended by law enforcement with support from Orleans County Deputies and Newport Police.

Debonville was found to be in illegal possession of a firearm. Both men were held without bail and lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

Cocaine arrests in Rutland

That same day, Vermont State Police in Rutland stopped a vehicle on South Main Street and discovered drug paraphernalia in plain view. A subsequent search led to the arrest of Jamie Daniels, 37, of Castleton, and passenger Ginger Springer, 46, of Rutland, for felony cocaine possession. Springer was also wanted on an outstanding warrant and was lodged at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility.

Both are scheduled to appear in Rutland County Court next month.

Prohibited firearm possession in Richford

A search warrant executed by Vermont State Police in Richford resulted in the seizure of eight firearms from the home of Catlin Passonno, 38, who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Passonno was processed and released with a citation to appear in Franklin County Court.

Retail theft in Rutland

Finally, a theft investigation at Staples in Rutland on May 26 resulted in charges against Logan Irwin, 27, identified as a transient individual. Irwin allegedly stole an iPad Air and was cited to appear in court next month for retail theft.