These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. 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. Bennington Countys last known homicide was the fatal beating of Christopher Sharby, 46, which authorities said happened in Bennington last September. All rights reserved. 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. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation, Possession of Stolen Property 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. Investigations are ongoing. The suspect resisted arrest but was detained after a brief struggle, Doucette said. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. 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.. . The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. You have permission to edit this article. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. We hope that state legislators recognize that far more needs to be done to establish meaningful police oversight and accountability protections so that all community members are safe from abuses like these, and their rights are respected.. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. 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. He also told police he did not know Heck to be someone who would drink and drive, according to the reports. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . 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. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Press Releases. ACLU of Vermont Staff Attorney Hillary Rich: No one should be subjected to the dishonest and coercive tactics that John Chinnici experienced at the hands of Bennington police. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Bennington Police, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Fire Department and Walt's Towing. 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. Wright allegedly threatened to intentionally cause a car crash with the former judge to attempt to show he drives intoxicated. We hope that state legislators recognize that far more needs to be done to establish meaningful police oversight and accountability protections so that all community members are safe from abuses like these, and their rights are respected., An independent report by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) concluded in 2020 that BPD exhibited a , . According to property management, there was nobody living at the residence as the the residence was in transition. the court. Officers said they then began patrolling overnight on roads around the area trying to locate the driver. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 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. Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. Chance of snow 70%.. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. 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. Wright faces a maximum six months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. The Bennington Police Department is still searching for his alleged killer, Raul Cardona, 28 . . Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. 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. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. The Vermont State Police is a full-service law enforcement agency that provides primary law enforcement services to approximately 200 towns, 90 percent of the land mass, and 50 percent of the population in Vermont. According to a posting by the Bennington Police Department, they responded immediately and determined the reports were false. In one report, Officer Amanda Knox said she found a 4- by 4-inch piece of denim while searching the area for Heck on Sunday. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . After an attempt was made to locate Wright, an arrest warrant was issued. Bennington Police Department executed their . Share this page on your favorite Social network. Police say there is no danger to the public, and no one has been reported injured. 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. Winds light and variable. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. According to a Vermont State Police news release, Patrick Mullinnex, the deceased victim in Wednesday's shooting on Pleasant Street in . 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. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . The story will be updated as more information is made available. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . 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. Copy and paste this code into your website. Sgt. Adoption of these approaches must become wide-spread and serve as principles for the Bennington Police Department. 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. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building-a misdemeanor. When addressing problematic behavior by Bennington Police Officers, the Police Chief and Town Manager should have broad discretion in determining consequences and be able to act swiftly. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. In a follow-up interview on Feb. 1, Hager told police he was going from Hoosick Falls, N.Y., to Home Depot in Bennington prior to the crash. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. Police detectives say that Misch went to the . 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. He was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in is in stable condition. 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. Police say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. Don't miss the big stories. 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. Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. The bill as introduced would be limited to interrogations of juveniles, though the ACLU is urging that its scope be broadened to prevent more abuses like those experienced by Mr. Chinnici from occurring. A cell phone also was found, but it could not be accessed because it was fingerprint password protected, police said. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. Police said the material later was matched to a tear in the leg of Hecks jeans when he was found and he had been bleeding. 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, Vt. ( NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department touting a large drug bust on Tuesday. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. In addition, the specialized resources of the Vermont State Police support our local, county and federal partners in times of need. Syringe Services Program information card. Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. 317 were here. 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. Feb 24. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. The breaking branches were heard near a fence installed to channel deer or other wildlife to an underpass below the highway, thereby reducing the number who are struck by vehicles. Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. 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. 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. Follow 21K. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. He added that safety concerns for the officers played a role in a police decision to suspend a ground search with a K-9 unit the night of the crash, while police in cruisers afterward continued to patrol that night around nearby roads. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. 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. The same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU, against BPD, while another caseinvolving, city officials retaliation against an interracial family. Anthony Union High School. or the public information officer. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one-car crash with ejection on Burgess Road in Woodford. Chance of snow 70%.. The bill as introduced would be limited to interrogations of juveniles, though the ACLU is urging that its scope be broadened to prevent more abuses like those experienced by Mr. Chinnici from occurring. Riendeau was released to a sober party. 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. the court. in police interrogations. : Mr. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building, a misdemeanor. Come out with your hands up, but there was no response, and police did not see the person making the noise. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing. Healing of the community means healing of all. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. They say the car hit Monday is. 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. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. You have permission to edit this article. Contact Tiffany Tan . Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. However, as communities, elected officials, appointed officials and the Bennington Police Department are developing new and innovative approaches to public safety, the focus should expand beyond just policies and procedures to include both the broader criminal justice and public health ecosystems: Maximize available, thoughtful resources, similar to the process for recommendations from the Commission of Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. 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. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). 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. Updated: Feb 28, 2023 / 01:19 PM EST. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. The Bennington Police Department discusses in a press release, issued Jan. 11, their work following Hans Heck's vehicular crash on Jan. 8. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [emailprotected], 802-223-6304x111. Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage couldnt immediately be reached for comment. The police reports also describe attempting to locate Heck at the address on his Vermont drivers license but learning he did not live there, then checking two other addresses in Bennington where he was said to possibly be living. Wright also shot a video of a vehicle belonging to former Judge Justine Scanlon, the same person still working inside the building, mentioning her by name. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. A Bennington man, Joseph Cattani, 48, is facing manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in Sharbys death. 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.. 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. 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. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Don't miss the big stories. BENNINGTON The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is suing the Bennington Police Department on behalf of a Bennington resident who claims he was unlawfully arrested, interrogated, and searched after police repeatedly pressured witnesses to name him as an accomplice in a January 2016 armed robbery. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Low 29F. 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. 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. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. 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. One driver traveling in the same direction on Jan. 8 told police the Heck vehicle earlier passed several vehicles in the breakdown lane at speeds the witness estimated at up to 100 mph, before then slowing to almost a complete stop and almost causing a crash. Bennington Police have been. 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. It also has not identified the female victim. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Copyright 2022 WCAX. 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. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. An independent report by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) concluded in 2020 that BPD exhibited a warrior mentality and hadlost the trust of many residents. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. When they arrived, authorities say they found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . Like us on Facebook. Heck left the scene that evening as temperatures were dropping toward a low of 15 degrees wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, according to the reports, and his body reportedly was found in a gully in thick woods with only one shoe. Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault . Don't miss the big stories. Doucette said Wednesday that police came to believe that Heck deliberately struck Hagers truck prior to the crash. 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. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. . Subscribe today. This acknowledgement promotes a greater level of understanding by all, that certain embedded feelings must not be taken lightly or dismissed and will be taken into consideration when developing and receiving recommendations for changes in Bennington Police Department policies and procedures. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. Winds light and variable. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. . Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. They are Trooper Paul Pennoyer and Sgt. Posted: Feb 27, 2023 / 10:10 PM EST. Harrington reported that Bombard said he last saw Heck around 4 p.m. the night of the crash. Police have said the other shoe might have pulled off his foot in a wet area or stream in the woods. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. Additional factors, he said, include other drivers who witnessed what was described as a road rage incident on Route 279 on Jan. 8. BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Let's take a look at what to do this Saturday. As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. 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 the Bennington County State's Attorney's Office and the Vermont Judiciary are disconnected from the Bennington Police Department, and/or the laws they are enforcing, the public loses faith in the police. Bombard also told police that Heck was not a big drinker and he did not know Heck to be a person who would drink and drive.. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers. The prosecution is being handled by the Office's Violent and Organized Crime Unit. 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. Superhero 5K - November, 2022. . Winds light and variable. Multiple crews responded but did not find anything. 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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. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Two drug busts in Bennington have three residents facing a multitude of drug charges. Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. 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. 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. 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. Like us on Facebook. May 13, 2022 GMT. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. . And there could be questions about where Heck became intoxicated, Doucette said, noting that he was reported to have been at the Man of Kent Tavern on Route 7 in Hoosick, N.Y., earlier that day.