By Guy Page
One of the Burlington’s most oft-arrested-and-released offenders has Burlington police hopping this month.
Burlington police say Michael Reynolds, 47, has 162 misdemeanor charges with 42 convictions, 19 felony charges with 6 convictions, 39 violations of court orders or conditions charges with 3 convictions, and 10 failures to appear. His arrests and his mugshot (above) are well known to VDC readers. This year he was arrested for spitting on and headbutting cops, and attacking a firefighter.
Yesterday, police reported that Reynolds had punched a mailbox, lunged into traffic and threatened a nearby pedestrian. It was, police say, the latest in a string of almost daily incidents since December 10. Here’s the list sent to the press by BPD:
On December 9, at about 7:29 am, officers with the Burlington Police Department responded to South Union Street for a trespass. Officers trespassed Michael Reynolds, 47, of Burlington for one year from the property.
At about 3:50 pm, officers with the BPD responded to South Union Street for a disturbance. Officers issued Reynolds a citation for disorderly conduct and unlawful trespass. Reynolds was trespassed from the same property earlier in the day.
On December 10, at about 9:50 pm, officers with the BPD responded to the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) on Colchester Avenue for reports that Reynolds was refusing to leave after being told he was trespassed. Officers arrived and informed Reynolds he was trespassed and needed to leave. Reynolds left and then later returned to UVMMC. Reynolds was taken into custody and cited for unlawful trespass.
On December 11, at about 11:45 pm, officers with the BPD were dispatched to UVMMC for a report that Reynolds was refusing to leave. When officers arrived on scene, Reynolds was yelling and refusing to leave after he was trespassed from the security. Reynolds was taken into custody and transported to the BPD. Reynolds was then released on a citation without fingerprints and photograph due to his escalated behaviors.
On December 12, at about 7:24 am, officers with the BPD responded to UVMMC for a report of a disturbance. When officers arrived, Reynolds was outside of UVMMC. Officers provided Reynolds a courtesy ride to North Winooski Avenue.
At about 1:12 pm, officers with the BPD responded to a disturbance on Pearl Street. Officers issued Reynolds a citation for disorderly conduct and unlawful trespass. Reynolds has been previously trespassed from this property.
On December 13, at about 5:52 pm, officers with the BPD responded to Pearl Street for a report that Reynolds was actively trespassing. Upon arrival, officers took Reynolds into custody for unlawful trespass and transported him to the BPD. Reynolds was cited to appear in court on February 4, 2025 and released.
On December 16, 2024, at about 6:33 am, officers with the BPD responded to South Union Street for a report of Reynolds violating a previously issued trespass. Upon arrival, officers responded and issued a citation to appear in court on December 19.
On December 17, at about 8:08 pm, an officer with BPD was conducting a directed patrol of the Marketplace Garage, when the officer observed Reynolds inside the stairwell. Reynolds has active court conditions to not be in the parking garage. Reynolds was issued a citation on scene and was escorted from the property.
Later that night, on December 18, at about 12:29 am, officers with the BPD responded to the University of Vermont Medical Center. Investigation revealed Reynolds was discharged and did not leave when asked to – Reynolds has an active notice of trespass from the location. When officers arrived, they asked Reynolds to leave. Reynolds did not comply and was taken into custody for unlawful trespass.
On December 20, at about at 1:06 am, officers with the BPD responded for a report of Reynolds violating a previously issued trespass. When officers arrived, Reynolds was observed standing inside of the business. Reynolds was taken into custody and lodged.
On December 23, the BPD received reports regarding Reynolds trespassing on South Winooski Avenue. Due to staffing shortage, officers responded to the scene a short time later. Officers located Reynolds and cited him for unlawful trespass.
Later the same day, at about 11:40 am, officers responded to the area of North Winooski Avenue and Pearl Street regarding a mental health issue involving Reynolds. Upon arrival, officers observed Reynolds chasing an individual. Investigation revealed Reynolds had engaged in violent and tumultuous behavior in a public place, when he repeatedly punched a nearby mailbox. Reynolds was also lunging into a heavily trafficked intersection and approaching a pedestrian in an aggressive manner. Reynolds was taken into custody.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at (802) 658-2704.
Gov. Scott has expressed the hope that the Legislature will tighten up Vermont’s criminal justice laws to reduce the amount of ‘catch and release’ of repeat offenders.
Click on the image below to read more VDC headlines and thumbnail descriptions about Vermont’s Public Safety Crisis. In response to reader interest, in 2025 VDC intends to be more active than ever covering Vermont’s criminal justice system, including proposed legislation.
