On September 27, after receiving an overwhelming response from concerned citizens, the suspect in the September 19 robbery of the Dog Mountain donation stand in St. Johnsbury was identified and located, state police say. 

State police say the suspect is a 19-year-old homeless juvenile.

Volunteers of the Dog Mountain donation stand provided the State Police security photos and video evidence of the female suspect entering the stand, seizing the cashbox, emptying the cashbox of all bills, and leaving the scene in a vehicle shortly after. The female suspect with braided blonde hair, wearing a large Champion sweatshirt and flip-flops, can be seen counting the cash in hand.

Dog Mountain, founded by dog artist Steven Huneck, is set on 150 acres on a mountain top location in St. Johnsbury. The grounds are always open to people and their dogs. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds.

Thief steals donation jar from soup kitchen – A thief Tuesday morning Sept. 22 robbed a St. Johnsbury charity store supporting a soup kitchen, the Caledonian-Record reports. He took cash and the entire ‘pay it forward’ jug.

The incident happened around 5 am when the burglar gained access into the building by breaking through the glass and unlocking the door from the opening. The man was in the store for less than two minutes.

The man was heavily dressed and hooded to cover his identity, though the St. Johnsbury Police department has a lead on the identity of the suspect. He is currently still at large.

The unidentified man got away with $300 of donation money used to assist disadvantaged people afford their basic necessities.

Young man tells cops he planted bombs in St. Albans and Richford – Keegan Legasse, who is 19 years old, was given a citation on September 14 for telling police he planted bombs in St. Albans and Richford respectively.

Legasse called 911 and told police that he had planted the bombs. St. Albans Police and the Vermont State Police took immediate action to clear their respective areas and determined the threat was not credible.

During the ensuing investigation, police also made contact with Shaun Legasse, 44, Keegan’s father. Troopers found Shaun to be in violation of his conditions of release for being under the influence of alcohol. 

The original charges requiring these conditions include: Burglary, Unlawful Mischief, Leaving the Scene of a Crash and Retail Theft. This stems from an incident where he used his vehicle to steal from a gas station by driving through the front door.

Keegan was issued a citation for False Public Alarms. Shaun was issued a citation for Violation of Conditions of Release.

Two arrested in Bradford for trafficking fentanyl, meth, and heroin – Two men were arrested after a residence on South Main Street in Bradford was searched as part of a fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking investigation, the Journal-Opinion reported Thursday, September 26.

Fred Robitzer, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant, was arrested and transported to Orange County Superior Court in Chelsea for arraignment.

Mark Mattiace, a one-time East Corinth Resident, was issued a citation to appear in Orange County Superior Court to answer the charges of possession of fentanyl, attempting to elude, and grossly negligent operation of a vehicle stemming from prior Bradford Police Department cases.

Several agencies were involved including BPD, Vermont State Police, U.S. Marshals, and the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force.

Several others were detained while authorities searched the property. Police used a loudspeaker before entering the property.