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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