The Bennington Police Department is still searching for his alleged killer, Raul Cardona, 28 . Healing of the community means healing of all. 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. the court. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. When they arrived, authorities say they found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. Bennington Countys last known homicide was the fatal beating of Christopher Sharby, 46, which authorities said happened in Bennington last September. . These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault - NEWS10 ABC Develop an objective and clearly established evaluation process for the Bennington Police Department based on shared, understood expectations. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Subscribe today. Prosecution and punishment should be proportional to the offense alleged and should not vary by race, wealth or status of the defendant. Hager told police that he passed Hecks vehicle, which then began high-beaming him a number of times before speeding up and passing him, police reported. Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette declined comment Tuesday, stating, "Further details are not being released at this time." A candlelight vigil had been set for Tuesday evening near the. The exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. They said they attempted to call a possible contact for Heck but did not receive an immediate call back. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing. Wright was released after pleading not guilty to the charge. The body has since been transported to Vermonts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. 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. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing | Local News News releases include information about arrests and citations, reports about homicides and other major criminal investigations, traffic incidents such as crashes and enforcement, and any incident that could have public impact or be of public interest. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. 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. 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.. After Mr. Chinnici had been unlawfully seized, Doucette interrogated Mr. Chinnici, telling him, Im not going to lie to you. Doucette then told Mr. Chinniciuntruthfullythat a witness had identified him as the gunman by a unique facial tattoo, while Mr. Chinnici maintained his innocence. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. While speaking with Riendeau indicators of impairment were observed. In addition, BPD officers made multiple misrepresentations in their application for a warrant to search Mr. Chinnicis cell phone, including omitting key details from witness descriptions of the suspect that did not match Mr. Chinnici. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. Multiple people arrested in Bennington drug bust - NEWS10 ABC The decisions and practices of the Bennington County State's Attorney's Office, The Vermont Attorney General's Office and the Vermont Judiciary directly impact public safety, particularly the trust and confidence the community has in the Bennington Police Department. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. From 3PM Thursday to 3PM today, troopers responded to 50 weather-related crashes, bringing the total for this round of winter weather to 89. A phone number police obtained for the registered owner of the Nissan, the drivers sister, Karen Heck, was found to no longer be in service, police said. Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash - news10.com Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Additional factors, he said, include other drivers who witnessed what was described as a road rage incident on Route 279 on Jan. 8. Adoption of these approaches must become wide-spread and serve as principles for the Bennington Police Department. 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. 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. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. VSP News Releases Doucette said he wanted to point out a misconception repeated on social media that the body was 200 yards from the scene of the crash, when Heck actually was found approximately that distance from Route 279 but much farther toward the New York line from the actual crash site near the Austin Hill Road underpass. It also has not identified the female victim. 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.. Low 29F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Copyright 2022 WCAX. Hager told police Heck then began to apply his brakes, and slowed to about 25 miles per hour. On the above date and time, the Vermont State Police-Shaftsbury Barracks was made aware of a possible assault that occurred in the Town of Arlington, VT. Further investigation revealed that Williams had assaulted West causing an injury to his face. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. 317 were here. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. Sgt. January 18, 2023. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. The incident was first reported on. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. 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. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. They also checked with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center but were told he had not been treated there. 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. 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. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. Doucette commented following the release of multiple police . He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building, a misdemeanor. Town of Bennington, Vermont - Serving people through teamwork Sauer was later processed at the Shaftsbury State Police Barracks and released with a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division on 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. As a result, there needs to be continued alignment between the Bennington Police Department and the Bennington County State's Attorney's Office to ensure agreement on the enforcement and prosecution of criminal offenses. Jelley was subsequently transported to Albany Medical Center for further treatment. 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. Bombard said his friend was in a good mood and not in any arguments or confrontations while at the Man of Kent, according to the report. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. 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. Like us on Facebook. 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. Police investigate an area of the Walloomsac River pathway in Bennington on Monday. 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 in police interrogations. Like us on Facebook. Incorporate this belief into the mission, vision, goals, ethics, and oath of the Bennington Police Department. Lawsuit Challenges Rights Violations by Bennington Police Officials Media Releases and News. Troopers report they found a Chevrolet Silverado with significant . Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. The male operator of the vehicle, Bradley J. Jelley was located outside the vehicle with suspected serious injuries. in police interrogations. The Bennington Police Department discusses in a press release, issued Jan. 11, their work following Hans Heck's vehicular crash on Jan. 8. A weapon believed to be involved in the attack was recovered by officers, he said in the release. Occasional snow showers. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. : Mr. According to the police affidavit in the case, on March 1, Wright Jr. posted a video on social media of himself entering a code into an employee door of the Bennington Courthouse after the building was closed. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of Springfield,. What To Do: Saturday, March 4 - wcax.com He also told police he did not know Heck to be someone who would drink and drive, according to the reports. Press Releases Crime and Justice Shaftsbury man sues Vermont State Police for $25 million, alleging troopers assaulted him By Ethan Weinstein Jan 18 2022 Vermont State Police Trooper. Bennington Police investigate reports of shots fired Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . 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. Officers searching the night of the crash with a K-9 unit reported hearing branches breaking in the woods near a 10-foot wildlife fence and called out, saying, Bennington Police K-9 unit. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating after a suspicious explosive device was found inside a home in Bennington on Thursday. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath | Local News Bennington - AP NEWS 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. 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. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. Nobody was hurt during this investigation and it is believed at this time there is no threat to the public. Investigations are ongoing. Contact Tiffany Tan . The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes after Mr. Chinni had already been arrested. Show Transcript. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Don't miss the big stories. The vehicle then struck two medium/large trees which caused significant contact damage to the front of the truck and tore the passenger side of the vehicle from the rest of the truck cab. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. 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.. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. Winds light and variable. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. BENNINGTON Two town residents were arrested Thursday after police said they found a semi-automatic rifle and handgun along with suspected illegal drugs and thousands in cash during an investigation. 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, 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. The witness told police the truck identified as Hagers then passed the Heck vehicle and the Nissan sped up alongside and swerved into Hagers truck before crashing and rolling over into guardrails. or the public information officer. The incident reports by several officers released Tuesday morning describe what police found around 6:29 p.m. Jan. 8 at the crash scene and what witnesses told them about what led to the crash. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. SUMMARY OF CRASH: On the above date and time, Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one car motor vehicle crash with ejection on Burgess Road in the Town of Woodford. Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault . Police investigate after explosive device found at property in Bennington 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. He was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in is in stable condition. the court. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers. Public Information | Vermont State Police If members of the Bennington community want changes to police department operations, the Police Chief should inform the public of potential costs and benefits of that change allowing the community to make informed and appropriate decisions. Officers said they then began patrolling overnight on roads around the area trying to locate the driver. Because it was growing dark on Sunday, and police said they could not find a way to safely cross the fence, the search was discontinued at that point. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. Subscribe today. Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage couldnt immediately be reached for comment. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. Vermont News. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). 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. Police said medical examiner and a toxicology reports later showed that Heck had no significant injuries as a result of the crash, and he had a blood-alcohol level of .151, well above the .08 legal limit, along with cocaine and marijuana in his system. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Chance of snow 70%.. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. Recently, according to the affidavit, Wright approached an officer telling him to arrest a former judge for driving under the influence. Elected and appointed officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome. Police release identities of Bennington homicide victim, suspect