By Guy Page
A Barre woman with five outstanding warrants faces multiple charges after police say she overdosed while driving Wednesday, August 27.
At about 10:45 a.m., Barre City Police were dispatched to Jacques Street for a report of a vehicle that had gone over a bank. Upon arrival, officers found that the driver, later identified as Jodi Palmer, had overdosed while driving. Her car rolled through an intersection where a street crew was working before going down an embankment and nearly striking a residence on Reynolds Street.
Palmer was administered Narcan and transported to Central Vermont Medical Center, where she was later released. She initially provided officers with a false name, and further investigation revealed the vehicle and license plates were stolen. Palmer also had five outstanding warrants totaling $32,700 for prior offenses, including eluding police, possession of stolen property, forgery, and retail theft.
She now faces additional charges, including DUI–Drug, Gross Negligent Operation, False Information to Law Enforcement, Driving with License Suspended, and Possession of Stolen Property. Palmer was lodged at Chittenden Regional Correctional Center in lieu of bail and is scheduled for arraignment on August 28 in Washington Superior Court.
Arrests in Troy burglary, truck theft – Vermont State Police have identified two Richford men in connection with the July 28 burglary of the Troy Pump Station in Troy and theft of a truck belonging to Laliberty Trucking.
Larry Garrow Jr., 37, faces charges of Burglary, Aggravated Operating Without Owner’s Consent, and Criminal Driving with License Suspended. Amos Lafontaine, 41, was charged as an accessory to the crimes.
The stolen truck was recovered on August 7 in Montgomery, heavily damaged. Lafontaine was already in custody at Northwest State Correctional Facility on unrelated charges when he was cited. Garrow was arrested by St. Albans Police on August 25 and remains held on $1,500 bail.
Transient arrested for cutting tablet cord, theft at Staples – Berlin officers responded to Staples after a report that a man had cut an alarm cord from a tablet and stolen it. Surveillance footage identified the suspect as Richard Atkinson, 38, a transient from Montpelier known to law enforcement. Atkinson was later located by Montpelier Police and issued a citation to appear in court in September.
Arrest for misuse of license plates, DLS – A traffic stop on Gilman Avenue led to the arrest of Henry Lamotte, 50, of St. Johnsbury. Police said Lamotte’s red Ford pickup was stopped for a broken taillight, but officers determined he was criminally suspended from driving.
The vehicle’s license plates also did not belong to the truck. Lamotte was processed at the St. Johnsbury Police Department and cited for Criminal Driving While Suspended and Misuse of Plates.
Burglary, assault in Waterbury – State police responded to 85 Tayer Lane for a report of a burglary and assault. Investigation revealed Deborah Talbot, 62, entered the home of Karmen Hatch, 44, without permission and assaulted her.
Talbot was taken into custody, issued conditions of release, and cited to appear in Washington County Criminal Court on August 28.
Police remind drivers of school safety — With the new school year beginning this week, police departments statewide are urging drivers to slow down in school zones, watch for children crossing, and stop for school buses displaying flashing lights.
Officers will be increasing patrols around schools to ensure safety. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to remind children about road safety and awareness while walking or biking to school.