Police responded to the North Country Federal Credit Union on Main Street at around 3:00 p.m. A man dressed in dark clothing was reported to have robbed the credit union, during which time he displayed a firearm.
Truck drives through store window in Newport
A 58-year-old man from Coventry will face charges after driving his truck through a window at Maplefields in Newport.
Thirsty fugitive Breer surrenders
Fugitive Harley Breer, 51, of Marshfield surrendered Wednesday following a manhunt that began Friday evening, Vermont State Police say.
DUI suspect had heroin
Suspected heroin was found on Kirk’s person at the time of the arrest along with other unknown controlled substances.
Police ‘immunity’ misunderstood, S. Burlington chief says
South Burlington police chief Shawn Burke said his department supports many of the measures in a new federal police reform bill working its way through Congress, though the proposed elimination of “qualified immunity” is misunderstood, he said.
St. Albans cop in court for taser assault
The Attorney General’s Office yesterday announced Mark Schwartz, 32, of Cambridge was arraigned in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans on one count of Simple Assault. Mark Schwartz, a former officer with the St. Albans City Police Department, is accused of simple assault arising from an on-duty incident that occurred in 2019 involving use of a taser.
Uncle arrested for helping fugitive, police say
During continued investigation and search efforts for Harley Breer on Tuesday, April 13, members of the Vermont State Police arrested an uncle of Breer’s on suspicion of helping the fugitive evade capture, state police say.
Kidnapper at large
Search efforts for Harley Breer, 51, of Marshfield continued throughout the day Sunday, with members of the Vermont State Police checking numerous locations and conducting interviews. Breer was not located and remains at large. State police will continue the investigation throughout the night.
4-year old struck by ATV on motocross track
On April 11 at 2:41 pm the Vermont State Police (VSP) were notified of an ATV crash involving 2 ATV’s. 911 advised that a 4 year old was involved. VSP arrived on scene after AmCare transported the child.
Baby kidnapped
On April 8 at about 7 pm, state troopers were notified of multiple 911 calls about a male attempting to take a baby away from a female on the side of the road along VT-109 in Belvidere, police say.
Marijuana abuse common thread in mass killings
Steven Bourgoin, found guilty of the largest mass criminal homicide in Vermont – the deaths of five high school students in an October, 2016 car crash – had in his bloodstream high concentrations of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. His police toxicology report has something in common with the perpetrators of some of the worst mass killings in recent U.S. and world history: he abused marijuana.
State Trooper busted for assault
The Vermont State Police on Wednesday, April 7 cited Trooper Robert Zink, 39, of Arlington on suspicion of simple assault following a six-week investigation into a use-of-force incident that occurred during an arrest Feb. 23, 2021.
Cop busted for tasing suspect
Following an 11-month investigation, the Vermont State Police has cited Mark Schwartz, a former officer with the St. Albans City Police Department, on suspicion of simple assault arising from an on-duty incident in February 2019, state police said yesterday.
Two dead bodies found in car
The Vermont State Police is investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found inside a vehicle this weekend in the driveway of a private residence in Vershire.
Sugarmaker, 75, dies in ATV accident
On April 5, the State Police responded to the area of Gore Road in the town of Holland for a fatal ATV accident.
Shelburne leaders question police bias study
The study was co-authored by UVM Professor Stephanie Seguino, Data Analyst Pat Autilio and Nancy Brooks, a Visiting Associate Professor at Cornell University. The data collected from 2014 to 2019 showed racial disparities statewide, including Shelburne, where Black drivers are 4.4 times more likely to be stopped by police, the study found.
Miro’s Mea Culpa
Yesterday’s announcement that Burlington racial equity director Tyeastia Green would oversee the policing study comes just two days after Mayor Miro Weinberger said it would be conducted by another city official. The decision to perform the assessment was made last summer, in the midst of civic unrest that began with the killing of George Floyd. Weinberger announced his decision to reinstate Green in a public mea culpa.
Woman dies after throwing self from moving car
Sarah Smiley had been a passenger in the northbound Jeep on Rte. 7 in Danby when she apparently intentionally exited the vehicle.
Calais girl located, safe; man charged
Leilani Olive was located safely by police at about 4:25 p.m. Thursday, March 11 in Montpelier.
Connecticut woman dies in Mt. Holly snowmobile accident
A Connecticut woman died yesterday in a snowmobile crash in the Rutland County town of Mt. Holly.
State trooper cited for domestic assault
Following an investigation that began in December 2020, the Vermont State Police has cited Nicholas Cianci, 25, of Bradford on suspicion of physically assaulting and threatening a woman with whom he was in a relationship.
Caregiver cited for stealing $225K from elderly man
A Brattleboro caregiver stole $225,000 from an elderly man over a three-year period, Brattleboro police say.
Legalized prostitution ‘study’ bill returns
H268, a bill to create a study group “for the purpose of modernizing Vermont’s prostitution laws,” was introduced yesterday into the Vermont House. It alleges state law prohibiting prostitution is steeped in racism.
Scammer “cops” threaten to arrest senior citizens
According to police, the scammer advises that they are a Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department (Civil Warrant Processing Unit). The scammer subsequently requests monetary funds via Western Union. The victims are advised that Franklin County Deputies will arrest them in person at their residence if the fines are not paid.
Border Patrol plans two video surveillance towers on border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is planning to construct two new video surveillance towers 120 feet high along the U.S.-Canadian border in Derby and North Troy.
Meth on the rise in Vermont
Federal drug officials warn that methamphetamine trafficking and use is on the rise in Vermont.
Alleged shooter of firearms instructor to plead to Attempted Murder #2
Veronica Lewis, 36, of Worcester pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, Feb. 9 to Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The woman who allegedly shot a Westford firearms instructor three times on June 29, 2015 also is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to attempted murder in Vermont courts, US Attorney Christina Nolan said.
Snowmobile fire destroys Troy covered bridge
TROY — Authorities say a snowmobile was the cause of a fire that destroyed a covered bridge in Troy this morning, according to a report in the Newport Dispatch.
Mayor Miro warns Burlington Council about cop shortage
In June 2020, the City Council voted to reduce the number of police officers in Burlington from 105 to 74, without a plan in place for how the City would respond to the full range of calls with 30 percent fewer officers. Already, as a result of this vote, the Police Department has had to curtail services that include: the Community Affairs Officer who helped coordinate the City’s response to graffiti, the Emergency Response Officer who helped manage the innovative strategies that the Department uses to respond to acute mental health crises, the street crime team that responded to patterns of open-air drug activity and robbery, and foot patrols on Church Street.
South Burlington felon convicted of deer poaching
Robert Verrastro, 47, of South Burlington, has pled guilty to the charge of possession of illegal big game among other crimes in connection with a deer poaching investigation in Starksboro that took place in November of 2019, state Fish & Wildlife officials say.
Antifa infiltrated DC riot, Antifa tells VT newspaper
The leftist organization Antifa did infiltrate the January 6 attack on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. – but only to monitor, not to instigate violence, a Northeast Antifa spokesperson told The Commons weekly newspaper in Brattleboro.
Trooper suspended for DC riot remarks resigns
Late last evening, prior to the anticipated conclusion of the investigation into his conduct related to the Capitol insurrection, Lucas Hall resigned his position, the Vermont Department of Public Service reports.
Commentary: an insurrection by any other name
Vermont meme reproducer Vermeistan 2.0 tells the facts about protesters trying to take over the iconic home of a seat of U.S. government – the White House, last summer.
Cooperating with martial law “would be the governor’s call,” top cop says
Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling and Montpelier Police Chief Brian Peete held a press conference this afternoon to discuss yesterday’s announcement that an armed gathering of protesters is expected at state houses across the country, January 17. Here’s what reporters learned (and what we didn’t).
Trafficking victims lured by drugs, etc., then “treated as commodities”
One of the challenges is to debunk the many myths surrounding sex and labor trafficking. Human trafficking is often confused with smuggling, evoking ideas of an international slave trade that has little to do with Vermont’s small towns and cities. Victims of trafficking in Vermont, however, include our own neighbors.
Montpelier PD, Capitol police warn of possible armed protest Jan. 17 at State House, Inauguration Day “insurrection”
Law Enforcement is aware of calls encouraging people to arm themselves and center at all State Capitols in the United States, to include Montpelier, specifically on the date of January 17, 2021. We are also aware of national trends warning of and encouraging an insurrection on January 20, 2021, the date in which President-elect Joseph R. Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President.
US Attorney Nolan would prosecute Capitol riot planning (if any) committed in Vermont
Speaking hypothetically, if a citizen of Vermont traveled to Washington D.C. for the sole purpose of participating in a peaceful protest (legal conduct), but during that protest spontaneously decided to commit a crime against the United States, or other unlawful acts, that crime would be prosecutable in courts in the District of Columbia, not in Vermont.
Donovan wants criminal investigation into Capitol riot, Trump involvement
Attorney General T.J. Donovan has requested that Acting U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen commence a criminal investigation into the activities of President Donald Trump and rioters in relation to the events occurring at the U.S. Capitol yesterday.
State trooper suspended for posts supporting “criminal insurgency” in Capitol
A Vermont State Trooper has been suspended without pay, pending further possible discipline, for social media posts that “appear to support the criminal insurgency that occurred yesterday at the U.S. Capitol,” Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling said today.
Burlington patrol force dwindling, early morning police coverage at risk, chief says
Retirement and attrition could lead Burlington from 81 sworn officers to 59 by this coming September – and that might not even be the worse case scenario. “From that 59 you would have to staff the airport,” and leadership, and detectives, and community affairs, and CUSI (sex crimes unit). The domestic violence prevention officer may be reassigned as a patrol officer. The community affairs already has been reassigned to patrolling (beginning next month). An uptick in graffiti will be a likely consequence, Murad said.
Police seek thief riding 3-wheeled tricycle
Vermont State Police were informed by numerous tips from the public that a suspicious male was seen riding an adult-sized tricycle, with a wire basket behind the seat, from house to house on Vermont Route 30 in the Addison County town of Cornwall.
Suspected Texas child rapist busted in Jericho
Investigation determined that Carter was wanted by the state of Texas on four counts of 1st Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Child, a felony in Texas punishable by a minimum of five years imprisonment. His bail had been set at $80,000 in Texas.
Police investigate possible suicide of Barre man in St. J prison
The Vermont State Police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the death of an inmate at the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury. Michael Dupont, 36, of Barre City was found in his cell by Department of Corrections staff at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Game warden impersonators arrested
Police have charged two Highgate men with impersonating game wardens and assault in connection with a Nov. 20 incident at a Highgate home.
Parrot smuggler gets two-year sentence
Rodriguez told law enforcement that he intended to give these birds to his mother and sister as Christmas gifts. The government questioned the credibility of that claim pointing out that these birds were collectively worth at least $10,000 and the defendant had a history of profit motivated crimes involving theft, fraud, and drug dealing.
St. Joseph’s Orphanage task force: abuse, but no charges
No charges will be brought involving the Orphanage, which closed in 1974. Due to the statutes of limitation, which limit the timeframe during which criminal charges can be brought by the State, only the crime of murder would have been prosecutable due to the passage of time since the events of the allegations.
Wrong-way driver strikes police cruiser, van on I-91
Several people were injured in a series of crashes Sunday night, Dec. 13 on Interstate 91 in the town of Dummerston involving a wrong-way driver who sideswiped a police cruiser and then struck a van.
Randolph woman stabs, kills man while four children are at home
The Vermont State Police has arrested Victoria Griffin, 29, of Randolph on suspicion of second-degree murder related to a stabbing that occurred Saturday, Dec. 12.
Hartford, Connecticut a hub for Vermont illegal drugs
The latter case provides a telling, succinct explanation by U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan: “As this case demonstrates, we are working hard to root out long time drug traffickers in Vermont and from source cities like Hartford, Connecticut.”
Hartford CT men sold coke, heroin in Rutland, fed say
The defendants are: Ralph Mariani (a.k.a. “D”), 27, of East Hartford, Connecticut; Cedano Brownswell, 26, of Hartford, Connecticut; and Rashane Wedderburn, 25, of Hartford, Connecticut. The five-count indictment includes charges that: Mariani and Wedderburn distributed Fentanyl; Mariani possessed, with the intent to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl; and Brownswell possessed cocaine base.
Mom charged in violent death of month-old son, dad charged with cruelty
While alone with her child, 28-year-old Stephanie Gero caused injuries to Leo Cushing prior to his death. In addition, investigators learned that Leo’s father, 36-year-old Matthew Cushing, was aware Stephanie Gero was prohibited from being alone with the infant, but that he allowed her to be with the child unsupervised while he was taking a shower.
Guv’s plan would centralize police hiring, training, use of force under State control
The Vermont Department of Public Safety wants public feedback on its plan to “modernize policing across Vermont” by increasing the state role in diversity hiring, policies for use of force and body cameras, banning invasive surveillance, and more.
Armed robber sought in Orleans
Dec. 1 at 9:20 pm, Vermont State Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Family Dollar located on Main Street in Orleans. At about 9:15 pm an individual entered the Family Dollar, displayed a weapon and demanded money. He was described as a thin white male about six feet tall and was wearing a dark colored sweatshirt and black pants.
Native of homeless haven, drug-decrim Portland, Oregon warns fellow Vermonters of what’s coming
Despite the obvious gentrification of the Portland, Oregon neighborhoods where I grew up, ten years ago there were no tent cities scattered along the city-scapes. Now there are too many to count. Trash and garbage were rarely an eye sore along the shoulders of the inner-city freeways. Today it appears as though little to no money is in the budget for keeping the roads clean.
Don’t send violent criminals to jail, Chittenden County State’s Attorney says
Should people arrested for committing violent crimes be sent to jail? Sarah George, Chittenden County State’s Attorney, doesn’t think so. Most violent perpetrators need mental health services instead, she said Friday, Nov. 13 on WVMT’s Morning Drive.
Westmore man dies in head-on crash
The following is a selection of police incidents that occurred recently in Vermont, as reported by Vermont State Police.
Kanine Kops fight out-of-state drug crime
Police dogs in recent, separate incidents on both sides of Vermont helped apprehend out-of-staters with illegal drug connections who were fleeing human police, police say.
Vermont a ‘brutally violent’ place for teen prostitute, survivor says in video
by Guy Page Last year, H568, a bill to study legalization of prostitution passed the Vermont House but was not taken up by the Vermont Senate. It is expected that its supporters […]
UVM Medical Center blocks incoming email, patient portal still down
by Guy Page – Below are 10 takeaways the press statement and other information available today at 2:30 pm by the University of Vermont Medical Center about last week’s “cyberattack event.” The […]
FBI warned hospitals of ‘ransomware’ attacks
Timing of UVM Medical Center patient portal shutdown linked to costly “Ryuk” ransomware attacks by Guy Page October 29, 2020 – The U.S. government yesteday issued an alert about ransomware attacks on […]
Investigation begun by Vermont U.S. Attorney Nolan leads to $8 B Purdue Pharma opioid settlement
The Department of Justice Wednesday October 21 announced a global resolution of its criminal and civil investigations into the opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma. “The abuse and diversion of prescription opioids has […]
No new positive cases among 2000 VT inmates
Republished from Sun Community News MONTPELIER | The third round of mass testing for all Vermont facilities showed no new positive cases of COVID-19 among the more than 2,000 Vermont staff and […]
Commercial cannabis backers ignore plea for racial justice
S54 is ‘harmful to African Americans of Vermont,’ Justice For All says By Guy Page September 24, 2020 – Last year, legislators and lobbyists invested S54, the commercial cannabis bill approved yesterday […]
Vermont top cop ready to meet with election protest organizers
If election protests ensue, Scott, Schirling want to ensure protesters’ rights, everyone’s safety By Guy Page September 22, 2020 – Vermont public safety leaders stand ready to meet with protest organizers to […]
Man fired for stopping purse thief has new job, Gofundme site, others’ admiration
by Guy Page September 22, 2020 – A young Essex Junction man and volunteer firefighter fired from his grocery store job for stopping a purse thief now has a new job, a […]
Vermont protesters, government ponder post-election unrest
In a year unlike any other in our lifetimes, Vermont activists, lawmakers and National Guard leaders discuss what could happen if election goes sideways By Guy Page September 17, 2020 – Lawmakers, […]
Frustrated Burlington cop was punched first, video shows
Should Burlington fire cop Corey Campbell? See body cam video before you decide By Guy Page September 11, 2020 – BLM protesters say they won’t leave Burlington’s Battery Park until three cops […]
Exec order gives State more ‘fair and impartial policing’ power
In response to aftermath of Floyd killing, Scott hands Department of Public Service bigger role in hiring, training, oversight of all Vermont police By Guy Page September 9, 2020 – Gov. Phil […]
Text of Governor’s August 20 Executive Order on Policing
Editor’s Note: the following executive order on public safety was issued by Gov. Scott August 20. It appears below in its entirety. Governor Scott said today at his press conference his administration […]
Leahy, Dean condemn Portland riot violence
Welch demands FBI investigation into “disinformation campaign” about Antifa, suspects Chinese; culprit’s a Bernie supporter By Guy Page August 10, 2020 – Judging by their public statements and actions, Sen. Bernie Sanders […]
VPIRG, ACLU ‘police reform’: end immunity, cut funding, No more school cops
First legislative public hearing on Police Reform tomorrow at 1 pm By Guy Page August 5, 2020 – Tomorrow, Thursday Aug. 6 at 1 pm, the House Committees on Judiciary and Government […]
Hero cop dad kept promise to return home
Vermonters rally Saturday to honor police “heroes among us” – like Frank McCarty, the St. Albans detective who saved a life and kept his promise to his daughter Two days from today, […]
Rally to SUPPORT police planned; UVM to continue fossil fuel heat; self-serve coffee returns!
Vermont Daily is on vacation today, sipping a well-earned cold beverage at Maine’s Wells Beach. We’ll return tomorrow. A rally to support Vermont law enforcement will be held Saturday, July 25, 11 […]
Legalizing prostitution in Vermont would increase demand for young prostitutes
Isolation caused by pandemic already putting young girls at risk from predators by Annisa Lamberton, M.A. July 9, 2020 – Last week in a small town in southern New Hampshire, Ghislaine Maxwell […]
Desecrated Vermont statue?
The sword has been taken from the statue of General John Stark at the Bennington Monument by Guy Page June 23, 2020 – Don’t look now, but the Battle of the Statues […]
Two deadly lists
Since early 2019, four Vermonters have been killed by police; 14 people are victims of murder By Guy Page June 16, 2020 – Vermonters are grappling with emotionally-charged issues of policing and […]
New police chief promises ‘woke’ Montpelier social justice ‘at a responsible pace’
Editor’s note: June 4, after a lengthy job search and interview process, the City of Montpelier announced it had hired former U.S. Air Force, Chicago and New Mexico police officer Brian Peete […]
Vermont’s governor, top cop unaware of ‘no-cops’ territory takeover in Seattle
Scott also calls painting “Black Lives Matter” on street in front of State House “a positive statement” By Guy Page At a press conference today, Governor Phil Scott and Department of Public […]
the union-crushers are coming for Vermont cops
Vermont progressives would defund, disband unionized police departments and start over by Guy Page June 9, 2020 – In his latest blog post, Kevin Ellis – former Burlington Free Press reporter, former […]
Scott on not enforcing social distancing at protests: “how we have handled this has led to more safety”
By Guy Page June 8, 2020 – At his press conference today, Gov. Scott spoke highly of the nonviolent police brutality protests conducted statewide, at which most people wore masks. He lauded […]
Crowd fills State House lawn to protest police brutality
Police defunding discussed, social distancing not observed By Guy Page June 7, 2020 – Hundreds of people protested police brutality against black people at the Honour Their Names rally Sunday afternoon on […]
GoV. Scott: “We just can’t” enforce social distancing at protests
One rule for worshippers, another for protesters? By Guy Page June 5, 2020 – Does Vermont have one rule for worshippers, and another for protesters? Since March, almost all of the estimated […]
In towns bordering Vermont, Massachusetts State Police watch for Antifa
By Guy Page June 3, 2020 – Massachusetts State Police are looking for Antifa activity in small towns in Berkshire County on the Vermont border, according to a memo from the Pittsfield, […]
Nevada ex-prostitutes expose life in legal sex trade
House bill approving state-funded study to “modernize” Vermont prostitution laws now in Senate Judiciary Committee by Guy Page May 13, 2020 – Is a legal “sex trade” (a/k/a prostitution) a safer sex […]
Q & A about ‘Big Brother’ in Vermont
People are wondering about drones, snitches, and bills numbered 666 By Guy Page Concerns about “Big Brother” watching Vermonters have been popping up in social and traditional media ever since March 13, […]
covid-19 likely to mean more domestic abuse in vt; funding needed
Photo: Caledonia County Courthouse. Victims of domestic abuse face more challenges to getting relief-from-abuse orders and other services due to Covid-19 measures, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard today.. By Guy Page March […]
Commercial pot will mean more traffic stops of minorities, Montpelier Democrat warns
Lawmakers explain why they voted as they did on S54, commercial cannabis, and H926, Act 250 revision By Guy Page March 4, 2020 – Lawmakers’ explanations of their votes of S54, commercial […]
Senate bill would add jail time to crimes perpetrated against immigrants
S316 would add ‘immigration status’ to hate crime protection list, gives state courts say in juvenile immigration By Guy Page February 24, 2020 – A bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee would […]
Central police agency gets hearing this week in House Judiciary
By Guy Page February 10, 2020 – the plan to centralize all state and county police under a new Agency of Public Safety will be discussed Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee. […]
5-minute video: Kai Penn of National Geographic describes ‘perfect storm’ that makes Vermont the most drug-infested state in U.S.
Kai Penn of National Geographic describes in this 2015 video how a shortage of cops, no shortage of oxycontin and heroin, and our interstate highway system’s ease of access to major drug […]
New bill: all game wardens, sheriffs, state police etc. to work under one new agency
Committee chair’s bill would place state police, game wardens, sheriffs, Corrections, etc. in one centralized Agency of Public Safety By Guy Page January 30, 2020 – The Vermont Legislature – already seeking […]
Firearms expert: Senate gun bill would leave Vermont churches vulnerable
By Guy Page December 30, 2019 – This weekend’s shooting at a Texas church and stabbings at a New York Hannukah celebration demonstrate that houses of worship must be able to defend […]
Lawmakers, judge ask: If Woodside closes, where will delinquent youth stay?
No answers yet, but DCF seeking proposals for 5-15 beds By Guy Page December 17, 2019 – As the State of Vermont plans to close Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, no plan currently […]
Sen. Sears: drug gang activity doesn’t explain all inmate racial disparity; was McAllister suspension fair? “I don’t know”
November 5, 2019 – by Guy Page – Out-of-state, urban drug gang activity in Vermont may play a role in racial disparity of Vermont inmates, but does not fully explain it, Sen. […]
When Vermont women interact with male drug dealers, they lose
By Guy PageOctober 29, 2019 – When drug dealers ply their trade in Vermont, everyone else loses. But recent news reports suggest that often, women are the biggest losers. Sometimes the […]
House bill could shed light on inmate racial disparity
October 18, 2019 – Guy Page – The Judiciary Committee of the Vermont House of Representatives next year is expected to take up a criminal justice data collection bill, a senior legislator told […]
ACLU says decrim will reduce inmate racial disparity – but what’s causing it?
10/10/19 – Guy Page – The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont (ACLU) said Tuesday the Legislature could cut Vermont’s prison population in half if it will: Decriminalize the sex trade Decriminalize […]
