14-year-old drowns in Morristown

On the evening of August 7, a search was launched in Morristown for 14-year-old Benjamin Clapp, who went missing while swimming in the Lamoille River near the B Street power dam. Local police, fire, and rescue teams, along with additional support from Stowe Mountain Rescue and Morrisville Water and Light, worked to locate the young swimmer. Despite their efforts, the search was suspended at 8:50 PM, with teams remaining on-site overnight. The following morning, recovery operations resumed, and at 9:33 AM, Clapp’s body was found. Initial findings suggest the tragic incident was an accidental drowning.

Montpelier man faces new charges after violating release conditions

On August 2, Skylar Lawder, a 24-year-old from Montpelier, Vermont, faced new legal troubles in St. Albans. Authorities were alerted that Lawder had breached his release conditions by contacting his victim, stemming from a previous sexual assault charge in April. Vermont State Police, along with detectives, tracked him down at Burton Island State Park. During the arrest, Lawder attempted to destroy evidence and resisted, though no injuries occurred. He was subsequently taken to the St. Albans barracks and held without bail for the sexual assault charge, with an additional $10,000 bail for resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. This marked the fourth time Lawder had violated his release conditions. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Wardens assisted in the operation. Lawder is set to appear in Franklin Superior Court on August 7.

Woman found dead in Burlington

On August 6, 2024, Burlington authorities responded to a call about an unresponsive woman at a home on Elmwood Avenue. Upon arrival, emergency personnel confirmed the woman, identified as 60-year-old Tina Mullen from Burlington, was deceased. The Burlington Police Department’s Detective Services Bureau is actively investigating the case, collaborating with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death. Officials have stated there is no current threat to the community. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Detective Corporal Beal.

Manuel Francis, 48, of Burlington charged by Feds for allegedly burgling Lakeside Pharmacy for drugs

On January 6, 2023, officers with the Burlington Police Department responded to Lakeside Pharmacy located on Pearl Street for a report that the business had been potentially burglarized sometime over the night. After staff had conducted an inventory of the pharmacy, staff determined that 37  60-mg tablets of buprenorphine; 55 packets of various dosages of Suboxone; one vial of testosterone; and more than 400 tablets of various doses of clonazepam were missing. Investigation revealed Manuel Francis, 48, of Burlington, committed the burglary.

Counterfeit cash in St. Johnsbury

Scott Lapoint, a 60-year-old resident of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, has been charged with counterfeiting and petit larceny following an incident at the Family Dollar Store on Railroad Street. On the evening of July 24, 2024, Lapoint allegedly used a fake $100 bill at the store. Subsequent investigations led to his arrest, with charges including the use of counterfeit currency and two counts of petit larceny. Although he was not detained, Lapoint is scheduled to appear in court on September 30, 2024.