Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. He also told police he did not know Heck to be someone who would drink and drive, according to the reports. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. 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. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. 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. After an attempt was made to locate Wright, an arrest warrant was issued. As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. 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. 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. Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Bennington Police, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Fire Department and Walt's Towing. Police detectives say that Misch went to the . 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.. Sgt. When they arrived, authorities say they found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Low 29F. 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. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. 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. 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. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault . 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. 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. It also has not identified the female victim. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. 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. 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. 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. Chance of snow 70%.. Bennington Police Department leadership should, whenever appropriate, educate the Bennington community on policies and procedures, practices, and incidents to further understanding of policing dynamics, advance transparency, and to enhance Bennington community-police engagement. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. 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. 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. by: Courtney Ward. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . 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. You have permission to edit this article. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. . Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. Doucette commented following the release of multiple police . 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. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. the court. Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. 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. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. 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. Like us on Facebook. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. At one point, Wright filmed a sheriffs deputy as he washed his car at a public car wash, asking the deputy how he paid for the wash. . Police investigated a report of an explosive device found at a property in Bennington on Thursday. Additional factors, he said, include other drivers who witnessed what was described as a road rage incident on Route 279 on Jan. 8. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers. 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. The body has since been transported to Vermonts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Doucette said Wednesday that police came to believe that Heck deliberately struck Hagers truck prior to the crash. 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. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. 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 same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU, against BPD, while another caseinvolving, city officials retaliation against an interracial family. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 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. 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. They said they attempted to call a possible contact for Heck but did not receive an immediate call back. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Winds light and variable. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. the court. Police say there is no danger to the public, and no one has been reported injured. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. Vermont News. 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. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. The Bennington Police Department discusses in a press release, issued Jan. 11, their work following Hans Heck's vehicular crash on Jan. 8. Jim Therrien writes for New England Newspapers in Southern Vermont. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. Posted: Feb 27, 2023 / 10:10 PM EST. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. 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. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. Bennington Police Department leadership and officers must continue to hold each other accountable for wrongful actions, and always remember that officers have a duty to intervene to prevent or stop the use of excessive force by another officer when it is safe and reasonable to do so. Press Releases. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Two drug busts in Bennington have three residents facing a multitude of drug charges. 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.. 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. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. 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. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. They also checked with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center but were told he had not been treated there. Bennington Police Department executed their . The exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. Low 29F. Officers said they then began patrolling overnight on roads around the area trying to locate the driver. 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. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. Updated: Feb 28, 2023 / 01:19 PM EST. 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. 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. 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. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. BENNINGTON, Vt. The Bennington, Vt., Police Department said a suspected bomb or as police called it, "an energetic destructive device" was found Thursday inside a home at 351 Overlea Road. Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. Heck also had a conceal carry firearms permit from the state of Florida, where the Nissan was registered, and was seen taking something from his vehicle before running from the crash scene before police arrived. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. 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. the court. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. 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. Low 29F. Members of the Bennington community need to be clear in their expectations for the police department. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. Wright faces a maximum six months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Harrington reported that Bombard said he last saw Heck around 4 p.m. the night of the crash. Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. . Syringe Services Program information card. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. According to a Vermont State Police news release, Patrick Mullinnex, the deceased victim in Wednesday's shooting on Pleasant Street in . of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. 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. 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, SP: Albany man arrested after driving while on drugs, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, War Room offers free meals to workers helping with, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession. 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. Chance of snow 90%.. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. He had the gun. The same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU settled a racial profiling lawsuit against BPD, while another caseinvolving city officials retaliation against an interracial family who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: ON the above date and time, Vermont State Police were advised of a be on the lookout for a Dorr Oil truck which was being operated all over the roadway on US Route 7 in the Town of Shaftsbury. Chance of snow 40%. 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. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. or the public information officer. He was taken into custody soon after. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. Trooper responded and located the vehicle travelling north on US Route 7. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. On that Sunday, police also reported speaking with Bombard, owner of the Man of Kent. 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. Press Releases; Top Stories. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. COURT: Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division, LODGED - LOCATION: Detox at Southern State Correctional, *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. . BENNINGTON Police said a male suspect has been arrested in a killing in downtown Bennington on Monday. ACLU of Vermont Legal Director Lia Ernst: Mr. 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. Don't miss the big stories. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. 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. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. 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. Chance of snow 40%. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. From 3PM Thursday to 3PM today, troopers responded to 50 weather-related crashes, bringing the total for this round of winter weather to 89. 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. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Follow 21K. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. Winds light and variable. 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 say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. 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. January 18, 2023. Bennington Police have been. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. The Commission specifically looked at how to make systematic improvements and enhance coordination between police, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and correctional authorities to increase the ability to prevent and control crime, prevent unnecessary incarceration, serve the victims of crime, and improve community-police engagement. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [email protected], 802-223-6304 x111 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 . The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. 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. Contributing factors, road rage, and DUI drugs/alcohol.. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. Share this page on your favorite Social network. 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. 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 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. 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. State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. 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. Chance of snow 70%.. Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Police said they were advised by several witnesses that a driver, later determined to be Heck, exited the vehicle, grabbed an item from the back seat area and placed it in the front pocket of his sweatshirt.. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify.