by VDC staff

VSP investigate Lowell burglary, arrest N.H. man, seek theft suspect, cite driver at 107 mph

State Police are investigating a burglary in Lowell, have arrested a New Hampshire man in a Waterford sexual assault case, are seeking a suspect in a Westfield truck theft, and have cited a Massachusetts driver for excessive speed on Interstate 89.

Burglary at General Store

Trooper Anthony Rice of the Derby Barracks said police were notified around 5:26 a.m. Saturday of a break-in at the Lowell General Store on VT Route 100. A masked person broke a window around 12:07 a.m., entered about two hours later, and stole various shelf items and cash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tpr. Rice at anthony.rice@vermont.gov or 802-334-8881, or submit an anonymous tip at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

Child abuse arrest

Corporal Christopher Pilner of the St. Johnsbury Barracks reported the arrest of Nathan Wert, 55, of Littleton, New Hampshire, on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and sexual assault.

The investigation began in July after police received a report of a juvenile assault in Waterford. Wert was arrested Nov. 7 and arraigned the same day in Caledonia County Criminal Court, where he was held without bail at the Northeast Regional Correctional Complex.

Town plow thief may be in Wyoming

Trooper Jeff Ferrier of the Derby Barracks said Colbi Matten, 26, formerly of Lowell, has been identified as the suspect in a February theft of a plow/dump truck from the Westfield Town Garage.

The truck was later found crashed near the Eden/Lowell line. Matten is wanted on charges including aggravated operation without the owner’s consent, leaving the scene of a crash, and grossly negligent operation. He may be in Wyoming.

Driver clocked at 107 mph

Trooper Alyssa Nozka of the Berlin Barracks cited Nelson Otim, 35, of Worcester, Massachusetts, after troopers clocked his vehicle at 107 mph in a 65-mph zone on I-89 northbound near Williamstown.

Otim was stopped without incident and cited to appear in Orange County Superior Court – Criminal Division on Dec. 3, at 8:30 a.m.

St. Johnsbury man cited after spitting incident involving elderly woman

A St. Johnsbury man was cited after police say he spit on a 75-year-old woman outside their apartment building Sunday evening.

According to the St. Johnsbury Police Department, officers responded at about 7:08 p.m. on Nov. 9 at 369 Railroad Street for a report of a male spitting in the face of an elderly female.

An investigation determined that 31-year-old Steven Chapin of St. Johnsbury had spit on or at Patti Knight, 75, outside the building where both reside.

Police said Chapin was already under court-ordered conditions of release that prohibited him from engaging in tumultuous behavior in public.

Chapin was flash cited to appear in Caledonia County Court on Nov. 13 at 12:30 p.m. to face charges of violation of conditions of release and disorderly conduct.