Vermont State Police have arrested a Derby Line man in connection with the theft of an ATM from a closed Newport Center restaurant and the subsequent arson of a stolen truck and cattle trailer in North Troy.

Travis Columbia, 46, was arrested today following an investigation into the incidents that occurred back in May of 2023. He faces charges of burglary, grand larceny, aggravated operating without owner’s consent, unlawful mischief, and arson.

The incident began with a break-in at a closed restaurant on VT Route 105 in Newport Center at about 1 AM May 28, 2023. A short time later, police were notified of a truck and cattle trailer engulfed in flames on River Road in North Troy.

Further investigation revealed that a 2011 Ford F-550 and attached gooseneck cattle trailer had been stolen from Chaput’s Family Farm in the late hours of May 27. The stolen vehicles were then driven to the closed restaurant, where the suspect forcefully entered the building and stole an ATM.

The truck and trailer were subsequently driven to River Road in Troy, where the truck and the ATM inside the cattle trailer were set on fire.

Fighting over pigs in road – Vermont State Police cited two men for aggravated disorderly conduct after a fight erupted on Maple Street over pigs blocking the road, authorities said.

The incident occurred at 5:13 p.m. on April 26 when police were called to the scene following reports of the animals obstructing traffic.

Calls later indicated that Ty Morrison, 37, of Orleans, and Michael Cyr, 57, of Brownington, were engaged in a physical altercation in the same location.

Upon arrival, troopers found Morrison and Cyr amidst a heated dispute, which reportedly began over the presence of the pigs, which neither man owned or was responsible for.

The confrontation escalated to violent and tumultuous behavior, alarming onlookers and disrupting the peace.

Both Morrison and Cyr received citations to appear in Orleans County Superior Court to face charges related to the incident.

Threatened with 14″ butcher knife – St. Johnsbury PD Corporal George Johnson submitted this report Saturday, April 27:

“On 04/26/2024 at approximately 2200 hours, while responding to an alarm at a business on Railroad Street, I was approached by two young males who stated that they had just been chased by a homeless man wielding a knife.  The males indicated that it was the homeless man who was at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center. 

“I was aware that Alexander Sargent is homeless and regularly sleeps on the benches in front of the welcome center and had seen him there earlier that night.  Security video showed Sargent yell at the males and then remove a large 14 inch butcher knife from his Jack and go after the males. 

“I located Sargent who was still in front of the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center and still had the large butcher knife in his jacket.

“Court 06/03/2024 Caledonia court house.”

Late-night Gunfire in Colchester – After reports of a shooting in the early hours of April 28, Colchester Police Department officers arrived on Sharrow Circle to find evidence of gunfire but no victims or suspects identified.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:28 a.m., prompted an immediate response from local law enforcement. Witnesses at the scene provided accounts to the officers, and ballistic evidence was collected, confirming that shots had been fired.

At this time, the shooting seems to be an isolated event, and there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities linked to the incident.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to understand the circumstances surrounding the gunfire. The Colchester Police were supported by personnel from the Burlington and Essex Police Departments in their response to the incident.

Authorities are calling for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to aid in the investigation. Detective Sergeant Jesse Treier of the Colchester Police is the point of contact for tips or leads, and can be reached at (802)264-5555.

• Newport Dispatch