Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. Bennington Police have been. Officers reported that Hager told them Hecks vehicle then tried to pull back in front of him too soon and crashed into the front driver side fender of his truck, before the Nissan went out of control and rolled over three times. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . 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. Syringe Services Program information card. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. All rights reserved. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. 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 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. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. . 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. by: Courtney Ward. Like us on Facebook. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case 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. Press Releases; Top Stories. Williams was later issued a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division to be arraigned for the charge of Simple Assault. 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. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department also responded to the incident. Copy and paste this code into your website. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department touting a large drug bust on Tuesday. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one-car crash with ejection on Burgess Road in Woodford. 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. In Bennington, police said they received a false report of two student shootings one at Grace Christian School and one at Mt. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. Wright was released after pleading not guilty to the charge. 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. Occasional snow showers. Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. 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. Contact Tiffany Tan . Riendeau was released to a sober party. 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.. 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 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. Occasional snow showers. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . 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. May 13, 2022 GMT. Troopers report they found a Chevrolet Silverado with significant . 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. in police interrogations. 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. 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. Chance of snow 70%.. 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. 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. the court. 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. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. Bennington Banner Compliments of: The Bennington Banner Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward. 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. Low 29F. On that Sunday, police also reported speaking with Bombard, owner of the Man of Kent. Complaints against members of the Bennington Police Department must receive thorough, timely, transparent, and objective investigation to determine the validity of the complaint, root cause of failure and work towards improvement. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. 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. 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. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . Adoption of these approaches must become wide-spread and serve as principles for the Bennington Police Department. You have permission to edit this article. 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. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. 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. Anthony Union High School. According to property management, there was nobody living at the residence as the the residence was in transition. Police investigate an area of the Walloomsac River pathway in Bennington on Monday. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Copyright 2022 WCAX. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 , . These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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.. Contrary to social media reports, no bomb or explosive device was involved in the attack, Doucette said. You have permission to edit this article. 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. . Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. Chance of snow 40%. 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.. Don't miss the big stories. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. The incident was first reported on. 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. 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. The male operator of the vehicle, Bradley J. Jelley was located outside the vehicle with suspected serious injuries. Hager told police at the crash scene that Hecks vehicle had passed several vehicles and he was behind it traveling east on Route 279. . The reports also note that Hecks wallet was inside the vehicle along with a .40 cal. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers. Develop an objective and clearly established evaluation process for the Bennington Police Department based on shared, understood expectations. 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. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Chance of snow 90%.. Ensure that the fundamental principle of the Bennington Police Department . It also has not identified the female victim. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. or the public information officer. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. 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. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. 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. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. 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. 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. 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. The prosecution is being handled by the Office's Violent and Organized Crime Unit. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating after a suspicious explosive device was found inside a home in Bennington on Thursday. 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. Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. Vermont News. 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. The story will be updated as more information is made available. Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. 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. 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. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Recently, according to the affidavit, Wright approached an officer telling him to arrest a former judge for driving under the influence. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. 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. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. 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. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Updated: Feb 28, 2023 / 01:19 PM EST. 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. . BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. 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. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. Follow 21K. 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. 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. Police have said the other shoe might have pulled off his foot in a wet area or stream in the woods. They are Trooper Paul Pennoyer and Sgt. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Chance of snow 70%.. 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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. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. 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. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. Superhero 5K - November, 2022. . The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor.