by Guy Page

St. Johnsbury Police Department Corporal George Johnson, IMHO the most engaging police press release writer in the state of Vermont, penned another tiny-but-flawless gem yesterday. 

“On February 11 at approximately 0029 hours, I was dispatched to a large bar fight occurring outside of the Whiskey Den located at 48 Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury. 

“I arrived on scene and found people on the ground engaging in a physical altercation with each other. I stopped the altercations. One of the pugilists was identified as David Noyes (age 24, of Barnet).  Noyes had an active warrant for domestic assault ($1000 Bail). I arrested Noyes.”

Arrest in church burglary – DNA test results found at a November 20 break-in at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Marshfield has led to the recent arrest of a local 19-year-old man for burglary and unlawful mischief.

State police arrived at the scene at 4:46 a.m. November 20 to discover signs of forced entry. Further investigation inside the church revealed vandalism.

Aydan Jestice, a Marshfield resident, was identified as the suspect after DNA evidence at the scene was analyzed. Jestice was issued a citation on Feb. 10 to appear in court.

Pre-dawn burglary at grocery store – State Troopers from the St. Albans barracks responded to a pre-dawn burglary at Georgia Market on Feb. 11. Authorities were dispatched around 4:33 a.m. to the market located at 962 Ethan Allen Highway after a report of a break-in.

Upon arrival, the troopers conducted a security sweep but did not find any suspects on the premises. The investigation revealed that the glass door of the market had been smashed, allowing unauthorized entry, and several items were reported missing.

Surveillance footage shows two male subjects forced their way into the store using a hatchet at 4:18 a.m. The police are urging anyone with information to contact state police at 802-524-5993.

WalMart stalking suspect jailed – February 6, the Berlin Police Department received a late report of a suspicious male inside Walmart. It was reported that Douglas Bedell, 62, of Williamstown was allegedly stalking, by following an individual around the store on multiple occasions and making unsolicited sexual comments to the victim. 

An investigation led to Bedell’s arrest. He was jailed for lack of $1,000 bail.

Juvenile’s threat heightens police security at high school – State police and the Hinesburg Police Department responded to Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg following a threat involving a person from outside the school community. The incident was reported to Hinesburg police at about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Hinesburg police requested assistance from VSP, and troopers and police officers responded to the school. CVU increased security protocols related to access to the building, but classes proceeded as normal, and dismissal was at the regularly scheduled time. Police remained on site for the rest of the school day. Due to the age of the individuals involved, no additional information is available.

Too drunk to pump gas – 7 PM on Feb. 8, state police patrolling Milton saw a woman hanging out of her passenger door at the Mobil gas station on Rte. 7. W witnesses stated that the female had been attempting to get gas multiple times, but then fell asleep. While speaking with the person of interest, Georgia Castleman, 40, of Mooers Forks, NY, troopers identified impairment and tested her for sobriety. She was arrested, brought to the state police barracks in Williston, and then cited and released.