A burglary in Irasburg has led to the recovery of a stolen firearm over a thousand miles away in Mississippi. Police have arrested Joel Gouin, 38, in connection with the crime, the Newport Dispatch reports.
The incident took place on January 8 when a homeowner in Irasburg reported a burglary in progress, alerted by a surveillance camera in his home. The subsequent investigation by the Vermont State Police revealed a break-in, with the front door broken and a gun-safe breached. Among the stolen items were nine handguns, including a Colt .45 Commander.
Gouin was identified as a suspect through surveillance footage and other leads. He was apprehended on January 10 following an attempted break-in in Wheelock.
During the arrest, police recovered several stolen items from Gouin’s vehicle, including power tools and prescription pill bottles belonging to the Irasburg homeowner.
Further investigations revealed that Gouin and a female accomplice had previously been welcomed into the victim’s home after their vehicle went off the road near his property. This encounter, initially benign, took on a darker significance after the burglary.
Paintball vandals – the Vermont State Police are investigating a series of vandalism incidents in Bethel where multiple houses, vehicles, and businesses were struck with yellow paintballs.
The incidents occurred late Friday evening, Feb. 24, along Route 107, Pleasant Street, and Camp Brook Road. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Royalton Barracks and speak with Trooper Jordan.
J.P. Isabelle arrested for creating traffic disturbance – Vermont State Police arrested a 41-year-old Barre man for disorderly conduct after he was reportedly creating a disturbance and endangering traffic on Vermont Route 25 Saturday afternoon, February 25.
Police received multiple calls at about 2:42 p.m. regarding a man behaving erratically on Route 25 near Chase Hollow Road.
Witnesses reported the man, later identified as Jean-Paul Isabelle, jumping into traffic and attempting to start altercations with drivers.
Upon arrival, officers found Isabelle lying in the middle of the roadway, causing a traffic backup. Isabelle showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested. He was issued a citation to appear in Orange County Criminal Court.
Indicted for impersonating officer – A 34-year-old Indiana man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly impersonating a federal law enforcement officer and lying about his military record.
Brandon Anderson, of Greenwood, faces charges of impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States (two counts) and making a false statement to a U.S. agency.
Prosecutors allege he wore a tactical uniform, body armor, and a holstered firearm while falsely claiming to be a federal officer on two separate occasions. Anderson was employed as a private security guard for a federal agency.
An investigation also revealed Anderson lied about serving in the United States Marines and receiving an honorable discharge to secure his security position.
Anderson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Feb. 23 and remains under pretrial supervision.
All above reports from Newport Dispatch
State police, border police work together – At about 7 pm Sunday February 25, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Highgate Springs notified state police in St. Albans of a suspect being held in violation of an Abuse Prevention Order out of Rhode Island. VSP contacted Anelka Ameka of Cranston RI at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection where he was placed under arrest for violating a restraining order. He was released with a citation to appear in the Franklin County Superior Court on March 26 to answer the charges.