by Guy Page

A series of major incidents kept Vermont law enforcement agencies busy Monday, with responses ranging from a serious pedestrian crash in Burlington to the arrest of a fugitive in Richford and a high-speed traffic stop on I-89.

Pedestrian struck, possibly armed, at North Beach in Burlington

At about 8:01 p.m., the Burlington Police Department received several 911 calls reporting a vehicle had struck a pedestrian at North Beach and that a shooting or stabbing may have occurred.

Responding officers from Burlington PD, UVM Police Services, and Colchester PD found a male in the North Beach parking area with critical injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. Officers administered aid until Burlington Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the man to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

Police say the vehicle’s operator, who remained on the scene, reported she struck the man while trying to flee after he allegedly brandished a firearm. Authorities are treating this as an isolated incident and say there is no ongoing risk to the public. The identities of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Zach Beal at zbeal@bpdvt.org.

Wanted Richford Man arrested in search warrant operation

Earlier in the day, at around 6:00 p.m., Vermont State Police troopers from the St. Albans Barracks executed a search warrant at a residence on School Street in Richford, arresting Rene Robitaille, 42, who was wanted on multiple felony charges.

Robitaille was taken into custody without incident. His arrest warrants stemmed from the following charges:

• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

• Second Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault (prior conviction)

• Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer

Robitaille was lodged at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans on $5,400 bail. He was issued a flash citation to appear in Franklin County Criminal Court on Tuesday, June 24 at 1:00 p.m. to face the charges.

105 MPH on I-89

In a separate incident earlier that morning, a Massachusetts woman was cited for negligent operation after state troopers clocked her traveling at 105 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 89 in Berlin.

At 9:52 a.m., troopers pulled over a vehicle near mile marker 47.6. The driver was identified as Zina Ahmed, 22, of Beverly, MA. She was issued a citation to appear in Washington County Superior Court – Criminal Division on the charge of Negligent Operation.

Additionally, Ahmed received a civil speeding ticket carrying a $599 waiver amount and 2 license points.

Safety Message from VSP

In light of recent incidents, Vermont State Police are reminding the public of the importance of seat belt use. A recent crash in the Northeast Kingdom (see above) involving a vehicle that left the roadway and rolled multiple times ended in serious but not fatal injuries—thanks to seat belt use.

So far in 2025, 21 fatal crashes have been reported statewide—a slight improvement from previous years. Authorities urge drivers: “Buckle up, every time.”