As felon, Gabriel may face federal weapons charge
Vermont State Police yesterday, October 18 announced the identification and apprehension of the man they say was involved in the theft of a VSP cruiser and patrol rifle that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, Oct. 17.
The suspect, Timothy Gabriel, 29, from both Burlington and Rutland, was recognized through investigations and assistance from the public.
Gabriel was spotted by state police officers at about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, on Cherry Street in Burlington. He disregarded orders to surrender and was consequently subdued by the troopers.
However, the stolen patrol rifle has yet to be recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing. The cruiser was stolen from outside a residence in Rutland City between 2 a.m. and 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. The cruiser was subsequently located elsewhere in Rutland City, but the Sig Sauer patrol rifle that had been secured in the vehicle had been forcibly removed.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont has been in close contact with Vermont State Police concerning this case. Initially, Gabriel is anticipated to face a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm, pertaining to the stolen patrol rifle.
His preliminary hearing in the U.S. District Court in Burlington is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Gabriel was arrested for an armed robbery of a Chinese restaurant in Rutland in 2019. In 2022 a Tim Gabriel was a co-plaintiff in a prisoners’ living conditions lawsuit against the State of Vermont.
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Categories: Crime
What is conspicuously absent from all the reports on this crime is whether the patrol car was secured or unsecured. How was it stolen? It is reported that the rifle was forcibly removed from its holding device. Was any information in the vehicle compromised besides the removal of the weapon? Are the VSP not forthcoming with this information or does no one think to ask?
Was this rifle semi-auto or full auto?
Considering computers can be used to hack electronic keys and USB ports can be used to start stolen Kia’s and Hyundai’s, it isn’t fair to target the trooper. Lately, anything is possible. It is more concerning to me that a fuel truck was stolen,and a school bus was attempted to be stolen by the same person. Then a police car and gun are stolen a day later. What is being planned that requires these items? Not to mention 3 murders, two 24 hrs apart.
Hmm. Looks like he may have had an accident during the arrest.
” Subdued by the Troopers ” 😆
another catch and release candidate
Looks like it’s about time for “an example” to me.
Awful funny how it’s a plain, old “patrol rifle” for VSP, but it’s suddenly a “fully automatic assault rifle” when John Q. Public owns the same gun according to most media outlets.