Duche Romeus swears police oath in Rochester, NH in 2021
By Guy Page
A former police officer from Massachusetts and New Hampshire led Vermont State Police on a roughly 100-mile chase Monday afternoon from the Upper Valley to the Canadian border before being arrested at the Highgate crossing, State Police say.
Duche Romeus, 30, of Revere, Massachusetts, faces three counts of eluding police in a grossly negligent manner following the pursuit along Interstate 89. Court records show his bail was later reduced from $50,000 to $25,000.
Romeus previously served as a police officer in Revere MA, Salem MA and Rochester, NH according to published reports. Vermont State Police confirmed Romeus is a former police officer and said the court affidavit should provide more details about Romeus and the chase.
The Rochester Voice newspaper carried a story of Romeus being sworn in on New Year’s Day 2021, saying he would begin service after completing his police academy training.Salem State University records for 2023 show Duche Romeus served as a Campus Police Officer 1 with a pay of $57,966.48. The Revere Public Schools highlighted him, as a Revere PD officer, for participation in the Big Brother – Big Sister program in 2023. According to media reports, he speaks English and French.
The incident began Monday when Vermont State Police received multiple reports of an erratic driver traveling at excessive speeds on I-89 in the Royalton area. Police said the suspect vehicle, a silver Toyota Camry with Massachusetts plates, was clocked at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Troopers from the Williston Barracks observed the vehicle traveling northbound in Bolton and attempted a traffic stop. Police said the driver fled at high speed while weaving through traffic. Troopers discontinued active pursuit because of the danger to the public.
The vehicle was later spotted again in Franklin County by troopers from the St. Albans Barracks and officers from the Swanton Police Department. Additional attempts to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful as it continued northbound toward Canada.
Police said the chase ended at the Highgate Springs border crossing, where Canadian customs authorities detained Romeus. After he was refused entry into Canada, he was turned over to Vermont State Police and arrested.
Romeus was processed at the St. Albans Barracks and lodged at Northwest State Correctional Facility. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court.