In Bennington, police said they received a false report of two student shootings one at Grace Christian School and one at Mt. Subscribe today. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. Winds light and variable. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of Springfield,. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. 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. 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. May 13, 2022 GMT. 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. 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. 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. You . Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. Lawsuit Challenges Rights Violations by Bennington Police Officials, 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. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. According to a posting by the Bennington Police Department, they responded immediately and determined the reports were false. You have permission to edit this article. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. 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. 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. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. Investigations are ongoing. 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.. 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. Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. 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. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. Don't miss the big stories. Jelley was subsequently transported to Albany Medical Center for further treatment. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . Chance of snow 40%. Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. 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. The story will be updated as more information is made available. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . 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. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. Low 29F. 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. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Police detectives say that Misch went to the . The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. He also told police he did not know Heck to be someone who would drink and drive, according to the reports. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. The same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU, against BPD, while another caseinvolving, city officials retaliation against an interracial family. Snow showers. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. 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. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. Hager told police Heck then began to apply his brakes, and slowed to about 25 miles per hour. Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. 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 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, 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. Come out with your hands up, but there was no response, and police did not see the person making the noise. Chance of snow 90%.. Like us on Facebook. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Show Transcript. 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. 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. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. After an attempt was made to locate Wright, an arrest warrant was issued. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Wright faces a maximum six months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Bennington Police Department executed their . 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. 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. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. ACLU of Vermont Legal Director Lia Ernst: Mr. They said they attempted to call a possible contact for Heck but did not receive an immediate call back. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. Bennington Banner Compliments of: The Bennington Banner Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. Subscribe today. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Doucette commented following the release of multiple police . 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 body has since been transported to Vermonts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. He had the gun. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service.