Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Troopers report they found a Chevrolet Silverado with significant . Police investigate after explosive device found at property in Bennington Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. Vermont schools, N.H. Walmarts receive apparent hoax threats Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Wright allegedly threatened to intentionally cause a car crash with the former judge to attempt to show he drives intoxicated. BENNINGTON, Vt. Bennington, Vt., Police have released the name of the individual who fell to their death off the Chapel Road-Route 279 overpass on Feb. 20. Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault . Despite the employees contrary description, Mayhews refusal to name his accomplice, and no evidence connecting Mr. Chinnici with the robbery, Doucette arrested Mr. Chinnici without probable cause. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building, a misdemeanor. Sgt. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. BENNINGTON Bennington Police have released the name of the individual who fell to their death off the Chapel Road-Route 279 overpass on Feb. 20. or the public information officer. Officers said they then began patrolling overnight on roads around the area trying to locate the driver. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) A Bennington man is suing the town, its police chief and two officers, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights by arresting him in the 2016 armed robbery. Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. Prosecution and punishment should be proportional to the offense alleged and should not vary by race, wealth or status of the defendant. Winds light and variable. Bennington Police investigate reports of shots fired Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Jared Lacoste, DATE/TIME: 2/14/23 at approximately 1620 hours. or the public information officer. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. Man of Kent owner Jon Bombard told Bennington police after the crash that he was a friend of Hecks, and asked that he be reported missing. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. Like us on Facebook. Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash. According to a news release from BPD Chief Paul Doucette, around 11:15 a.m. Monday, town police received a call about "a male attacking a female" along the Walloomsac River walkway between North and School streets. VSP News Releases Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000 The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. Town of Bennington, Vermont - Serving people through teamwork While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. The drivers name was known because his wallet had been found at the scene, so he might be located later, Doucette said, and police were concerned that Heck might be intoxicated and carrying a gun after one was found in his pickup. While speaking with Riendeau indicators of impairment were observed. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. BENNINGTON A well-known local Bennington man was arrested late Thursday evening after he allegedly attempted to break into the Bennington Courthouse by punching in different codes in the keypad security system. Planned Parenthood to close 5 centers in north New England. . Share this page on your favorite Social network. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. Elected and appointed officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome. Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. This includes having more open conversations about coping with stress and trauma within the Bennington Police Department and informing the public, as well as elected and appointed officials, of the stress and demands on officers and staff. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. According to reports from the officers involved, witnesses said Heck, 35, was involved in an apparent road rage incident and attempting to pass a pickup truck near the Austin Hill Road underpass when his Nissan Frontier pickup truck swerved and struck the side of the other vehicle. He was taken into custody soon after. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of Springfield,. He said he stopped after the crash and asked if Heck was OK, and Heck repeatedly said he was before running from the scene to the south of the highway near the Austin Hill Road underpass. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. Before his arraignment, Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady, in a court-ordered motion, transferred the case to Windham County, as Scanlon and James Colvin are witnesses referenced in the affidavit and are retired judges that have presided in Bennington County. Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. He was ordered to not have any contact or harass Scanlon, not to come within 10 feet of the courthouse or stalk Scanlon in any manner. Don't miss the big stories. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. The reports also note that Hecks wallet was inside the vehicle along with a .40 cal. Speaking after release of the reports, Doucette said he is sorry for the familys loss, but he also believes people have to look at the totality of circumstances surrounding this incident, which he said emerged in the incident reports, especially after a medical examiners report was released late last week confirmed the alcohol level. . Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. Copyright 2022 WCAX. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. Low 29F. Subscribe today. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Ultimately, the state legislature will have to decide how much longer it will tolerate these kinds of abuses before taking corrective actions to reimagine public safety and policing in Vermont.. MONTPELIER, Vt. The ACLU filed a lawsuit yesterday on behalf of John Chinnici, who was unlawfully arrested, interrogated, and searched by Bennington police after they repeatedly pressured multiple witnesses and suspects to name Mr. Chinnici as an accomplice in a January 2016 armed robbery, despite the fact that Mr. Chinnici did not match witness descriptions and no other evidence connected him to the crime. Contrary to social media reports, no bomb or explosive device was involved in the attack, Doucette said. The report was commissioned after revelations that Bennington officials, from then-Attorney General T.J. Donovans investigation into racial harassment of then-local resident and state legislator Kiah Morris, as well as multiple Vermont Supreme Court decisions concerning unlawful BPD traffic stops of Black motorists. Come out with your hands up, but there was no response, and police did not see the person making the noise. He had the gun. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department also responded to the incident. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. A New York State Police Aviation Unit helicopter located an area of interest off Route 279 that led to discovery of the body that morning. 8 arrested in Bennington drug bust - wcax.com Mr. Chinnicis experience is a product of a notoriously toxic law enforcement culture in Bennington, and another shocking example of what happens when we leave it to the police to police themselves. Syringe Services Program information card. After hours of Mayhew refusing to implicate Mr. Chinnici, BPD Chief Paul Doucette deviated from BPD policy and conducted an unrecorded and non-memorialized interview with Mayhew. Wright could be heard on the video saying the day and time, then he is seen getting out of his white pickup truck and walking to the side door. From 3PM Thursday to 3PM today, troopers responded to 50 weather-related crashes, bringing the total for this round of winter weather to 89. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. The body was found Monday, Jan. 11, after family members and friends, along with police from Bennington and surrounding communities had begun a large-scale search. Jelley was subsequently transported to Albany Medical Center for further treatment. A cell phone also was found, but it could not be accessed because it was fingerprint password protected, police said. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case Doucette commented following the release of multiple police incident reports concerning the crash and efforts to locate Heck before his body was found Jan. 11 in a thickly wooded site off Route 279, where the crash occurred. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. January 18, 2023. The incident is the first reported homicide case in Bennington or the county this year. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks / DUI #2 Occasional snow showers. According to police, the device was confirmed to be an energetic destructive device. Winds light and variable. the court. Police release identities of Bennington homicide victim, suspect Yesterday morning, hours before Mr. Chinnici filed his lawsuit, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on proposed, legislation to curtail the use of misleading tactics. Suspicious explosive device found in Bennington home May 13, 2022 GMT. The story will be updated as more information is made available. The cloth was found near the wildlife fence and what appeared to be blood on the fence where it was believed Heck had scaled it. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. BENNINGTON The victim in a Bennington homicide on Wednesday morning has been linked by police to a Springfield kidnapping case in late July involving a family residence with small children. State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. BENNINGTON Police Chief Paul Doucette said Wednesday that he will "stand by the actions" of his officers following the Jan. 8 rollover crash of a pickup being driven by Hans Heck, who left the scene and was found three days later in a wooded area, having died of hypothermia. Investigations are ongoing. Bennington Police investigate possible 'incendiary' device Chance of snow 40%. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Sergeant Seth Loomis, INCIDENT LOCATION: U.S. Route 7; MM: 15.6, Bennington, VT. On the evening of 2-22-23, Troopers from the Shaftsbury barracks came upon a vehicle that slid off of the travel portion of U.S. Route 7 near mile marker 15.6 in the town of Bennington, VT. You . Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Jim Therrien writes for New England Newspapers in Southern Vermont. ACLU Sues Bennington Police Over 2016 Investigation, Arrest BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department is investigating a suspicious device that was located at 351 Overlea Road at around 9:15 a.m. on Thursday. Home Page | Vermont State Police The search had been suspended on Friday night, according to the reports, because of darkness, the cold, the loss of the scent track, and not knowing if the male had a weapon.. While still trying to get Mr. Chinnici named as an accomplice, Bennington police arrested Mr. Chinnici without probable cause, and went on to make multiple misrepresentations in their interviews with Mr. Chinnici and in their application for a warrant to search his phone. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks / Simple Assault Multiple people arrested in Bennington drug bust - NEWS10 ABC A traffic stop was conducted and the operator of the vehicle, Geoffrey Sauer was taken into custody for DUI #1, Negligent Operation, and Possession of Stolen Property. News - wcax.com Chance of snow 40%. Preliminary investigation revealed that Jelley's vehicle was travelling East on Burgess Road when the vehicle exited the south side of the roadway for unknown reasons. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. The suspect resisted arrest but was detained after a brief struggle, Doucette said. In a follow-up report on Feb. 2, Harrington said he had talked with Bombard by phone about Hecks demeanor while at the Man of Kent Jan. 8. Chance of snow 70%.. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. The driver then fled the scene on foot running south into the wooded area, police said they were told, and that the driver appeared to be intoxicated. South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Although the employees described the second robber as a Hispanic male with an accent weighing 170-190 poundscharacteristics that in no way resembled Mr. Chinniciofficers disregarded more likely suspects and immediately targeted Mr. Chinnici. Twelve Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. Mr. Chinnicis experience is a product of a notoriously toxic law enforcement culture in Bennington, and another shocking example of what happens when we leave it to the police to police themselves. Sgt. Slashing death in broad daylight in Bennington leads to - VTDigger Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. The report was commissioned after revelations that Bennington officials withheld relevant evidence from then-Attorney General T.J. Donovans investigation into racial harassment of then-local resident and state legislator Kiah Morris, as well as multiple Vermont Supreme Court decisions concerning unlawful BPD traffic stops of Black motorists. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper C. Shepley, INCIDENT LOCATION: US Route 7 Shaftsbury/Sunderland VT, VIOLATION: DUI #1, Negligent Operation, Possession of Stolen Property. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the Vermont House of Representatives and served as speaker, has become well-known around town for videotaping people and officials, and calling himself a reporter. Superhero 5K - November, 2022. . Subscribe today. Press Releases; Top Stories. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A drug bust in Bennington on Monday ended with police arresting eight people, including one who jumped out a second-story window. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. Roscoe Harrington stated in a report filed Feb. 8, It is this officers belief that the cause of this crash was gross negligent operation on the part of Heck. Press Releases. The Bennington Police Department, the lead investigating agency, said it continues to investigate the Monday killing and is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sgt. Low 29F. Many police agencies throughout the United States have implemented community-focused police approaches and have policies, procedures and practices in place that emphasize the duty of care as well as strict policies and procedures around police tactics to ensure the well-being and safety of the community and officers. . Updated: Oct 12, 2022 / 05:59 AM EDT BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Police are looking to identify two young men after an alleged theft in Bennington. While attempting several times to acquire copies of police reports concerning the crash, family members and friends of Heck have alleged that the BPD was negligent for not trying harder to find him afterward. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Members of the Bennington community need to be clear in their expectations for the police department. All rights reserved. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. Bennington Police Department press release Jan. 11, 2021 Doucette said several decisions by Heck are what led to the crash and finally to his death by exposure, adding that police attempted to find him after he left the crash scene but he eluded officers. He must appear at any scheduled hearings in Windham County or face a violation of release. Trooper responded and located the vehicle travelling north on US Route 7. . Ultimately, the state legislature will have to decide how much longer it will tolerate these kinds of abuses before taking corrective actions to reimagine public safety and policing in Vermont., On the morning of January 11, 2016, two masked men robbed employees of Martins Mini Mart, the latest of a string of unsolved robberies in Bennington. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse | Local News Bennington Police Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Referring to social media and other criticism of the departments actions from the time of the crash on a Friday night, Jan. 8, until Hecks body was found the following Monday, Jan. 11, Doucette said, I stand by the actions of the officers.. Both vehicles had been travelling east shortly after 6 p.m. from Hoosick, N.Y., into Bennington. He had the gun. . Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . BENNINGTON Police Chief Paul Doucette said Wednesday that he will stand by the actions of his officers following the Jan. 8 rollover crash of a pickup being driven by Hans Heck, who left the scene and was found three days later in a wooded area, having died of hypothermia. Chinnicis case is emblematic of well-documented problems with Benningtons police department, and it shows how much further Vermont still has to go to establish a culture of accountability in law enforcement. Updated: Feb 28, 2023 / 01:19 PM EST. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. BENNINGTON, Vt. . If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please, We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by, Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse, Southern Vermont Arts Center high school student art show reception postponed because of weather, Court deems River Bend Market assault suspect fit for trial, Fire destroys home on Northside Drive this morning, Support our journalism. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Contributing factors, road rage, and DUI drugs/alcohol.. Develop an objective and clearly established evaluation process for the Bennington Police Department based on shared, understood expectations. We look forward to next year, Community Policing Advisory Review Board (CPARB), Back to School Backpack Event - coming Aug. 18th, 2022, Police Officers Receive Mental Health First Aid Training - April, 2022, Bennington Police Department Welcomes Three Recruits - January, 2022, Bennington Police Department Receives Environmental Leadership Award - October, 2021, Doucette Wins VTrans Highway Safety Award, Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward, Members of the Bennington Police Department are raising cancer awareness, Helping Vermonters Reduce their Risk of Opioid Overdose. What To Do: Saturday, March 4 - wcax.com BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . Low 29F. Riendeau was released to a sober party. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Chance of snow 40%. Riendeau was transported to the Shaftsbury barracks where she was processed and issued a citation to appear in Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division to answer to the charge of DUI #2 on 3-13-23 at 0815 hours. The reports also state that witnesses, including the operator of the second vehicle, a Ford 250 pickup, Michael Hager, of Hoosick Falls, described Heck as appearing intoxicated. Show Transcript. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York City Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Vermont State Police, and the Bennington Police Department. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. Multiple crews responded but did not find anything. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. Bennington Police have been. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. He was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in is in stable condition. : Mr. The illegally obtained evidence was then used against Mr. Chinnici at trial. Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . According to property management, there was nobody living at the residence as the the residence was in transition. Updated: Feb 16, 2023 / 10:48 PM EST BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department is investigating a suspicious device that was located at 351 Overlea Road at around 9:15. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. the court. Follow 21K. Doucette said Wednesday that police came to believe that Heck deliberately struck Hagers truck prior to the crash. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash - news10.com BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers.