By VDC staff

More than $100,000 worth of gold and silver may have been stolen from a Berlin collectibles store during a series of thefts in July and August, police said following the arrest of a New York man on a burglary charge.

James Schultz, 40, of Elmira, New York, was taken into custody after an investigation into an Aug. 8 burglary at Wonder Cards and Comics, 445 US Route 302.

Berlin police responded to an alarm at the business at about 9:14 AM and determined someone had entered through a second-story window at the rear of the building. Police said the suspect fled on foot west along the railroad tracks, dropping a large quantity of silver coins and bars along the way.

About $20,000 in silver was reported missing from that burglary, with approximately $10,000 worth recovered along the railroad tracks.

Police said surveillance video indicated a maroon Jeep may have been used in the burglary. Investigators subsequently developed information identifying Schultz as a suspect and learned he had recently purchased a maroon Jeep.

Investigators also believe Schultz may have previously stolen additional quantities of gold and silver from Wonder Cards and Comics during July and August. Police estimated the total value of precious metals involved in the suspected thefts at more than $100,000. The investigation remains ongoing.

Schultz was processed at the Berlin Police Department and appeared Wednesday, Aug. 12, in Washington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, to answer to a burglary charge. Montpelier police and Vermont State Police assisted Berlin officers with the investigation.

Schultz also faces an unrelated larceny charge stemming from an investigation earlier this year in Braintree.

Vermont State Police said troopers responded Feb. 22 to a reported theft from a residence on Riford Brook Road. Following an investigation, police said they developed probable cause to charge Schultz with larceny from the person. He was issued a citation to appear in court.

Two truck crashes in northeastern VT – crews were working Thursday morning to remove a tractor-trailer that went over an embankment on Interstate 91 northbound in Ryegate, the Journal-Opinion reports.

Vermont State Police said the 2024 Peterbilt went off the highway near mile marker 111.4, just north of Exit 17, at about 3:30 AM. The tractor-trailer sustained extensive damage and came to rest on its side over an embankment. One northbound lane was closed during removal operations.

The driver was identified as a 34-year-old Groton man. State police did not report any injuries. Road conditions were wet following heavy rain earlier in the morning.

Another commercial truck crashed Wednesday around midday on Route 302 in Groton.

According to the Vermont Highway Patrol, a 20-year-old Barre man driving a 2016 Ford F550 for Service Tire Truck Center Inc. fell asleep while driving near Daniels Road in West Groton.

The truck went partially off the roadway into an embankment, with its rear end blocking the westbound lane. The driver was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

Smokies make DUI bust in Queen City – Meanwhile, a Vermont State Police trooper assigned to ongoing downtown Burlington foot patrols arrested a Georgia man on suspicion of DUI Tuesday evening.

Police said that at about 7:42 PM Aug. 11, a trooper observed a vehicle on St. Paul Street with what appeared to be an open container of alcohol in the center console.

The trooper flagged down the vehicle and identified the driver as Scott Camley, 60, of Georgia. Police said the container was confirmed to contain alcohol and the trooper observed multiple indicators of impairment.

Camley was arrested following a roadside investigation and transported to the Williston state police barracks for processing. He was later released with a citation to appear in Chittenden County Superior Court on a charge of first-offense DUI.