Over the weekend, the Burlington Police Department (BPD) tackled a significant surge in incidents, recording approximately 301 cases from Friday, June 28, through noon on Monday, July 1. With only 26 officers available for patrol, spread across three shifts, the BPD faced immense pressure. Day and evening shifts typically have three to five officers, while the midnight shift operates with just two.

Eluding Police (24BU014094)

For details, visit: Press Release

Accident – Injury to Person(s) (24BU014116)

On June 28, at 5:43 PM, officers responded to a crash with injuries near Elmwood Avenue and Pearl Street.

Robbery (24BU014121) & Traffic (24BU014131)

At 6:47 PM, officers responded to a gunpoint robbery on Saint Louis Street. The victim was assaulted and robbed. Later, at 9:42 PM, officers stopped a vehicle linked to the robbery, identifying four juveniles with prior police encounters. The investigation continues.

Ordinance Violation (24BU014128)

At 8:46 PM, officers assisted the Fire Department with an aggressive male refusing to extinguish an unlawful open fire. The male was informed of a ticket issuance per city ordinance.

Disturbance / Lewd & Lascivious (24BU014148)

On June 29, at 2:16 AM, officers intervened in an altercation on Church Street involving Farhan Hassan, 24, of Colchester. Hassan resisted detention, injuring two officers who used OC spray to subdue him. The altercation began after Hassan grabbed two females inappropriately. Despite the severity, a judge released Hassan on a citation. His criminal history includes 14 misdemeanors and a felony.

Suspicious Event (24BU014155)

At approximately 5:00 AM, officers responded to a report from a female caller hiding in her own bathroom, stating that an unknown male was in her apartment on Morse Place. Officers responded and took the male into custody. Lawful, minimal physical force was used to overcome the male’s resistance. Investigation revealed the male and another resident in the apartment other than the caller knew one another. The male was released.

Attempted Burglary (24BU014156)

At approximately 5:35 AM, officers responded to a report that a male was trying to break into an individual’s apartment. The male was later identified as Jason Casey, 40, of Colchester. Officers located Casey and he was taken into custody. Casey was lodged on $500 bail. Casey has the following criminal history in the State of Vermont: 4 felony charges, 38 misdemeanor charges with 5 convictions, 13 failures to appear, and 5 prior unlawful trespass charges and 1 unlawful trespass to an occupied dwelling charge. In court today, on July 1, 2024, Casey was given the following conditions: must come to court when told, must provide address and phone number, and must not go to a specific address. Multiple evening shift officers from Friday night evening shift were extended into the midnight shift owing to call volume.

Trespass (24BU014161)

At approximately 9:31 AM, officers were on a routine presence patrol in downtown Burlington when an officer observed Jared Gallagher, 42, of Burlington, at the Fletcher Free Library. Gallagher is known to officers from multiple previous law enforcement encounters. Gallagher was taken into custody for violating a trespass notice for the library. Gallagher was processed and cited at the BPD.

Arrest on Warrant (24BU014178)

At approximately 1:43 PM, officers encountered Shauna Francis, 33, of Burlington. Dispatch advised Francis had three active warrants. Francis was taken into custody, transported to the BPD for processing, and lodged at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. In court today, on July 1, 2024, Francis did not show for court. Chittenden Criminal will be sending out a warrant for $200. Washington City will be issuing a cite and release warrant.

Domestic Disturbance (24BU014192)

At approximately 5:52 PM, officers responded to a call reporting a domestic disturbance near South Willard Street. This investigation is ongoing.

Aggravated Assault (24BU014226)

At approximately 4:11 AM, officers responded to a report of an assault on Rose Street. Investigation revealed Malcolm Sovey, 21, of Burlington, struck the victim in the face while in possession of a firearm. Sovey was taken into custody and lodged. A review of Sovey’s criminal history shows 8 violation of court orders or conditions charges, 4 felony charges with 1 conviction, 16 misdemeanor charges with 4 convictions, 4 assaultive crime charges with 2 convictions, and 1 assault on officer charge. In March 2024, he was arrested for violating conditions of release and aggravated assault. While in custody at the police department, he caused significant property damage, and in October of 2023 he had headbutted an officer hard enough to knock out teeth and require dental surgery.

Domestic Assault (24BU014227)

It was early, around 7:16am, when the BPD officers got the call. Someone had been assaulted. When they arrived at the scene, Church Street and Main Street, they found out that Justin Gaboriault, a 36-year-old from Burlington, had punched someone in the face and threatened them with a knife. Gaboriault didn’t get far; the officers took him into custody, transported him to the BPD, and he was lodged on a $1500 bail. Fast forward to today, July 1, 2024, and Gaboriault was held without bail in court. He was also given strict conditions to have no contact with the victim.

Domestic Assault (24BU014235)

A few hours later, at 10:29 AM, another call came in. This time, it was a report of domestic violence. The investigation revealed that Najee McDowell, 31, also from Burlington, had assaulted someone. The officers couldn’t find McDowell at first. His criminal history in Vermont isn’t pretty: 1 felony charge, 2 misdemeanor charges with 1 conviction, and a prior failure to appear. But this morning, July 1, 2024, the BPD officers located McDowell and took him into custody. In court today, McDowell was released with conditions: he must show up to court when told, provide his address and phone number, and have no contact with the victims.

Trespass (24BU014239)

At around 10:59 AM, the BPD officers were called to the 200 block of Saint Paul Street for a trespass report. They found Morgan Gillespie, 28, from Burlington, and he was trespassed from the area.

Trespass (24BU014245)

Just a bit later, at 1:27 PM, officers were dispatched to Pearl Street. A male had entered a bus without paying and refused to get off. The man was identified as Christian Bukeyeneza, 21, from Burlington. When the officers arrived, they asked Bukeyeneza to exit the bus, and he complied. Bukeyeneza was trespassed from the bus. It was a busy day for the officers, with one lieutenant and three officers on the Sunday day shift, and never more than one officer available at any given time.

Trespass (24BU014278)

Later that evening, at 9:28 PM, the BPD responded to a report of a male trespassing and being aggressive on South Winooski Avenue. The male was again identified as Christian Bukeyeneza. However, the officers were unable to locate him this time.

Suspicious Event (24BU014287)

In the early hours of July 1, at approximately 12:30 AM, officers responded to a report of a possible assault. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough evidence or information to proceed with any investigation.

Animal Problem (24BU014303)

At around 9:30 AM, the BPD received a call about two unleashed dogs seen about two hours earlier. A Community Service Officer (CSO) responded but couldn’t locate the animals.

Arrest on Warrant (24BU014313)

At approximately 10:42 AM, officers encountered Thomas Lapine, 37, near Battery Park. They confirmed he had three in-state arrest warrants. Lapine was arrested, processed, and transported to court.

So goes another weekend in a city once thought of as the jewel of Vermont.