by Guy Page 

A 50-year-old vagrant man was arrested Saturday after police say he pointed what appeared to be a handgun at passing vehicles in downtown Burlington and initially refused officers’ commands to surrender.

Burlington Police said officers were dispatched at about 2 PM Sept. 12 to South Winooski Avenue and Bank Street for a report of a man pointing a gun at passing vehicles.

Officers on foot patrol nearby responded and found Jason P. Breault, 50, holding what appeared to be a pistol, police said. Breault initially refused commands to surrender and argued that the object was a replica pistol and actually a lighter.

Breault ultimately surrendered without further incident. Officers determined the object was a replica pistol-style lighter.

A witness told police they did not know the gun was a replica and feared for their life. Police also said Breault had been issued a no-trespass order barring him from the property where he was standing.

According to Burlington Police, Breault has one prior felony conviction and 23 misdemeanor convictions in Vermont. At the time of Saturday’s incident, he was under pretrial conditions of release issued Sept. 8 stemming from an August arrest for disorderly conduct in downtown Burlington.

In 2017, Breault allegedly stabbed a police officer while resisting arrest at the corner of Church and Main streets. 

Breault was held for lack of $2,500 bail pending arraignment Monday, Sept. 14, in Chittenden Superior Court.

Man accused of threatening clerk over cigarettes, assaulting officer

A Richmond man was jailed Sunday after police say he threatened to shoot a convenience store employee over a pack of cigarettes, fled from officers and later assaulted an officer during booking.

Williston Police said officers responded at about 5:01 PM Sept. 13 to Simon’s Convenience Store at 777 Zephyr Road. Police said Todd H. Towsley, 50, allegedly threatened to shoot an employee if the worker did not give him a pack of cigarettes.

Towsley allegedly took the cigarettes and fled in a white van. Officers later found the van near Dick’s Sporting Goods and spotted Towsley near Bob’s Discount Furniture, police said.

Towsley ran when officers approached but was caught following a foot pursuit, according to police.

During booking, Towsley allegedly became uncooperative and assaulted a Williston police officer. He faces allegations of assault and robbery, resisting arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer.

Towsley was lodged at Northwest State Correctional Facility on $2,500 bail. His arraignment was scheduled for 10:30 AM Monday, Sept. 14.

Man held without bail in Waterbury sex-assault case

A 34-year-old man with no fixed address was ordered held without bail after Vermont State Police say a woman reported being held against her will and sexually and physically assaulted early Monday.

State police received a report at about 12:24 AM Sept. 14 that a sexual and domestic assault had just occurred in Waterbury.

Troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded and spoke with the victim, who reported she had been held against her will and assaulted, police said. State police do not identify victims of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Troopers located the suspect, identified as Sean Bacon, 34, and took him into custody.

Bacon is accused of aggravated sexual assault, first-degree aggravated domestic assault and first-degree unlawful restraint.

He was lodged at Northeast Correctional Center and ordered held without bail pending arraignment at 12:30 PM Monday in Washington County criminal court in Barre.

State police said no further details were immediately available. The affidavit of probable cause is expected to become public following Bacon’s arraignment.