By Guy Page

Vermont State Police have arrested two Swanton residents in connection with a home-invasion armed robbery that occurred in Highgate last month.

Police said 41-year-old Eric Smith and his girlfriend, 31-year-old Sabrena Murray, were identified through continued investigation as suspects in the Dec. 3, 2025, burglary of an occupied dwelling in Highgate. The incident involved an alleged assault and robbery inside the home.

At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Smith and Murray were located and arrested at a home in Swanton. The arrest involved multiple specialized units, including the Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit, Bomb Squad, Crisis Negotiation Unit, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program. Police said both suspects surrendered without incident.

Smith was lodged at a correctional facility pending arraignment, with bail set at $10,000. Murray was also jailed pending arraignment, with bail set at $2,500.

Smith is charged with burglary into an occupied dwelling and assault and robbery. Murray faces charges of burglary into an occupied dwelling, aiding in the commission of a felony, possession of stolen property, and providing false information to a police officer.

Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans.

St. J cops arrest wanted man from Connecticut – St. Johnsbury police arrested a local man Tuesday afternoon on a fugitive from justice charge after determining he was wanted on an extraditable warrant from Connecticut.

Police said officers were notified at about 4 p.m. Jan. 14 that Stephen Brummell, 36, of St. Johnsbury, was the subject of an active out-of-state arrest warrant. Investigators learned Brummell was staying at an apartment at 401 Western Ave., Apartment 306.

Officers responded to the apartment and made contact with a woman living there, who told police Brummell was inside the apartment. Officers took him into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.

Brummell was charged with fugitive from justice and lodged pending court proceedings.

It is not known what offense Brummell was wanted for. Court records show Stephen Brummell has a prior arson conviction stemming from a 2010 fire in Berlin, Connecticut. At the time, authorities said Brummell, then 20 and living in Woolrich, N.J., was charged with arson, reckless burning, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment after a fire broke out at a residence on Hudson Street shortly after midnight. 

The fire spread from a porch into the home, causing significant damage, displacing three family members and killing the family dog, according to police. Brummell, described as an acquaintance of a household member, was later convicted of third-degree arson and sentenced in 2012.