By Guy Page

Buell Street, a residential sidestreet in downtown Burlington, is once again the spotlight for homeless ‘takeover’ of property in the Queen City.

Several months ago the local United Methodist Church complained of vandalism and public disturbances, and drug dealing as the church became a gathering place for homeless, drug-addicted persons. Police broke up that ongoing gathering.

However, the day after Christmas the Burlington police found a group of four squatters in the basement of an unoccupied Buell Street home, according to a BPD press statement. Apart from other vandalism, they four had urinated and defecated inside the home and started an indoor fire.

All the squatters have extensive police records and all were arrested. Three of the four were jailed. 

The following is an edited version of the BPD release.  

December 26, 2024, at about 10 PM, the Burlington Police Department received a report of a group of homeless individuals squatting in the basement of a residence on Buell Street.

When officers arrived on scene, they met with the property manager. Investigation revealed four individuals entered the basement of a residence, which they did not have privilege to be in, and caused extensive damage by the way of indoor fire and also defecating and urinating inside. The suspects were identified as Tanya Francis, 41, of South Burlington; Lyndsay Herman, 44, of Jeffersonville; James Mackenzie, 47, of Burlington, and Annette Peeters, 53, of Milton.

The Burlington Fire Department was also requested to assist for the odor of a fire. BPD was later advised the apartment upstairs was also vandalized. Because the building’s residents are not currently in Burlington, the BPD could not assess whether any apartments had been subject to burglary. 

Based on the condition of apartments in the building, however, and the belief that these trespassers or others had extended access to them, the BPD strongly suspects that additional crimes including burglary and theft will be reported once residents return after the holiday season. The Burlington Community Justice Center is already in contact with some of these potential victims in order to help them navigate this experience.

Francis was taken into custody for burglary, two counts of false reports to law enforcement authorities, and resisting arrest – Francis was lodged at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. A review of Francis’ criminal history shows that she has 12 failures to appear, 12 violation of court orders or conditions charges with 2 convictions, 25 felony charges, 50 misdemeanor charges with 17 convictions, and 1 assaultive charge.

Herman was taken into custody for burglary, in addition to an active arrest warrant, and was lodged at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. A review of Herman’s criminal history shows that she has 4 failures to appear, 3 felony charges with 2 convictions, 7 misdemeanor charges with 4 convictions, and 1 violation of probation/parole charges.

Mackenzie was taken into custody for burglary and false reports to law enforcement authorities – Mackenzie was lodged at Northwest State Correctional Facility. A review of Mackenzie’s criminal history shows that he has 14 failures to appear, 2 violation of court orders or conditions charges with 1 conviction, 8 felony charges with 4 convictions, 25 misdemeanor charges with 14 convictions, 3 assaultive charges with 1 conviction, 2 escape charges, 6 violation of probation and 14 parole charges.

Peeters was taken into custody for burglary and transported to the BPD for processing. A review of Peeters’ criminal history shows that she has 2 failures to appear, 1 violation of court orders or conditions charges, 2 felony charges, 13 misdemeanor charges with 10 convictions, 1 assaultive charge with 1 conviction, and 2 violation of probation and parole charges.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at (802) 658-2704.