A 19-year-old Swanton man is recovering from being shot Saturday morning during an altercation.

State police say the shooting happened at a Rte. 7 home the morning of Oct. 7. Cooper Bergeron, 19, of Swanton had been transported in a private vehicle for treatment at Northwest Medical Center in St. Albans. Investigation revealed that Bergeron suffered a gunshot wound. 

Police say the shooting occurred during an altercation with unknown individuals, who fled afterwards.  This does not appear to be random and appears to be an isolated incident. Bergeron was initially treated at NMC before being transferred to UVMC, for treatment of the injury, which is not believed to be life-threatening. 

Amtrak collision kills car driver – Police say an Amtrak train struck a car Friday, October 6, killing the driver of the car.

Authorities were notified of an automobile accident near the intersection of Route 142 and Bemis Road at around 5:00 p.m. The crash involved an Amtrak train striking a 2002 Toyota Rav4.

The driver and passenger of the car were transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital where the man was pronounced deceased. The woman was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where she is being treated for injuries and her condition is unknown at this time.

Police identified the driver as 53-year-old Craig Hudson, of Brattleboro, and the passenger as Shenandoah Gilbert, 47, of Vernon. It is unclear from police statements how the accident happened.

No one else was injured on the train and it continued its route after a delay.

Train hits man on tracks in North Troy – A 27-year-old man from Newport was seriously injured after being hit by a train in North Troy October 4.

Authorities say the incident took place near Hill Street at around 10:35 a.m. The man, identified as Dillan Prue, was airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center for extensive injuries.

According to authorities the train personnel repeatedly blew the horn before strking Prue. The train engineer applied the emergency brakes upon seeing Prue on the tracks, but the train was not able to stop prior to striking him. Police say there is no indication of foul play, and Prue is alive but his condition is unknown. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is being asked to call 802-334-8881.

.22 rifles, cash stolen from store – Police are investigating a burglary that occurred in Chelsea on Saturday, October 7.

Authorities were notified of a burglary complaint at an establishment on Vermont Route 110 at around 12:40 p.m. Police say the establishment was broken into via forced entry where among several items stolen were two rifles and currency from the cash register.

The owner of the establishment was later notified of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Flores at 802-234-9933.

Bad check writer – A 34-year-old woman from Burke has been accused of uttering a forged instrument, grand larceny, and identity theft, according to the Lyndonville Police Department.

Amber Labrecque was charged with the crimes after an investigation into a complaint filed by Lyndon resident Frank Trull, 81, on August 3.

Trull reported that he had cashed three checks for Labrecque, drawn on the account of the company 148 Eastern Ave LLC and supposedly signed by Joshua Prue, 43, of St. Johnsbury, and Tina Leblond, 64, of Newport.

The checks, which totaled about $1,454, were later found to be forged.

Labrecque was located on October 6, at a disturbance on Depot Street in Burke where Lyndonville Police Department officers were assisting Vermont State Police troopers. She was then cited for the alleged crimes.

Labrecque is scheduled to be arraigned in Caledonia Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. on December 18. 

Home improvement fraud – A 50-year-old man from Bennington was charged with home improvement fraud following an incident in Sandgate.

In August, authorities say they were notified of a home improvement fraud that occurred on Hamilton Hollow Road. Police say Robert Billings Jr. was contracted to replace a water tank at a home on Hamilton Hill Road, accepted payment for the work, did not complete or finish the work that was promised, and did not refund the victim. 

He was located yesterday by Bennington Police Department and was issued a citation to appear in court to answer for the charge.

Randolph car break-ins – Authorities say they were notified of several complaints of cars that had been broken into in the area of Vermont Technical College, Ridge Road, and Tom Wicker Lane, at around 6:00 a.m. Sunday, October 8.

The thefts are thought to have occurred sometime after 9:00 p.m on Thursday and sometime on Friday. Mostly money was stolen, however, small electronics were taken from some cars. Most of the vehicles were unlocked, but a couple had their windows broken.

Anyone with information about these break-ins or may have seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Royalton barracks at 802-234-9933.

Vermont police reports republished from Newport Dispatch