by Guy Page
Arrests have been made following police state police recovery of stolen rare coins. The coins were apparently spent by the thieves as currency at many local businesses.
On April 18, About $30,000 of rare coins were stolen from a safe in Derby.
On April 22, Newport Police Department located Jonathan Letourneau, 33, of Newport, who was a person of interest for the burglary, during a traffic stop. Letourneau was transported to the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks for processing and was later lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of $5000 bail.
On April 25, state troopers conducted a consent search at James Beauvais residence in Holland, recovering a large amount of stolen property. Beauvais was not present at the residence and his whereabouts were unknown.
That changed on May 3, when troopers located Beauvais and arrested him for possession of stolen property related to the case. Beauvais was later lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of $500 bail.
On May 4, Troopers located Dustin Sheltra, and having probable cause, arrested him for possession of stolen property related to the case. Sheltra was later lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of $10000 bail.
Four days later, Sheltra was busted on a cocaine charge. State troopers received reports of individuals – including Sheltra – partaking in illegal drug activity at 80 Williams Street, Lyndon. Investigation revealed Sheltra was in violation of his conditions of release.
After being taken into custody, Troopers searched Sheltra and discovered him to be in possession of what is believed to be crack cocaine. Sheltra was later transported to the St. Johnsbury Barracks, where he received a citation to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on 5/15/23 at 0830 hours before being released to a third party.
Although some of the rare coins have been recovered, the case is still active and ongoing.