by Daniel Duric, for the Newport Dispatch with VDC contributed material

A 60-year-old Lunenburg man was jailed without bail Saturday, July 20 following a series of alleged criminal acts at the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Vermont State Police building in St. Johnsbury.

Jeffrey Hale, of Lunenburg, is accused of ramming his SUV into the AOT office at 1068 U.S. Route 5 around 8:15 a.m., causing significant structural damage.

After the crash, Hale reportedly stole a steel tamper and proceeded to vandalize the VSP barracks’ windows, an AOT pickup truck, and a portable light at a construction site.

During the incident, Hale attempted to assault construction workers, prompting one to use pepper spray for defense.

An Orleans County Sheriff’s Department deputy at the site subsequently tackled and detained Hale.

The Vermont State Police have indicated that the assault appears to be random, with no injuries reported.

State work crews have boarded up the damaged property, with more repairs scheduled for the following week.

Hale has pleaded innocent to multiple charges, including aggravated assault, aggravated disorderly conduct, DUI, and felony unlawful mischief. He was arraigned on Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Johnsbury.

Lawyer offers explanation for suspect’s motive

When the prosecutor asked for the judge to hold Hale without Bail, public defender attorney Jennifer Cleveland pushed back, saying he has always appeared in court and that the last conviction on his criminal record is for a 2019 DUI. She suggested he may be an angry victim of repeated crime, according to a Caledonian-Record news report.

“He has been robbed multiple times recently, and frustration may have gotten the best of him,” she said.

When informed about the lawyer’s suggestion at a flood recovery press conference today, Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said wrongdoers blaming others for their illegal behavior is a growing problem in Vermont.