By Guy Page

A family dog’s disappearance set off an extraordinary chain of events Sunday in Berlin that police say ended with a police pursuit, the theft of a vehicle, and the animal’s safe return to its owners.

Berlin Police say Ashley M. Lynch, 26, of Barre City, entered a home in the area of Vermont Route 12 and Muzzy Road on July 5 and took the family’s dog – identified in WCAX coverage as Fiona, a 16-year-old pit bull lab mix.

When officers responded, the dog’s owners told police Lynch had returned to the residence, where she was confronted by a witness.

WCAX covers this here: https://www.wcax.com/2026/07/06/stolen-dog-reunited-with-family-after-berlin-burglary-police-chase

According to investigators, Lynch said she had released the dog on Crosstown Road and did not know where it was. As the confrontation unfolded, another person who had stopped to help became the victim of a second alleged crime when Lynch reportedly stole that witness’s vehicle and drove away.

Police soon located the vehicle on Berlin Mall Road and attempted a felony traffic stop. Officers say Lynch refused commands, sped through the mall parking lot while it was open to the public, and led Berlin and Montpelier police on a pursuit over Crosstown Road.

Investigators said Lynch passed multiple vehicles and drove in a grossly negligent manner, prompting officers to back off for safety reasons. Police later relocated her after she returned to the original Route 12 residence to retrieve her own vehicle.

When officers attempted to arrest her, police said Lynch again refused commands and had to be physically removed from the vehicle while resisting arrest.

The story, however, had a happier ending for the family’s missing pet.

While officers were dealing with the pursuit and arrest, the dog was found safe on Crosstown Road and reunited with its owners, ending what had become an emotional ordeal for the family.

Lynch was taken to Central Vermont Medical Center for a mental health evaluation. She is accused of burglary, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, cruelty to animals, eluding a police officer, gross negligent operation, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.