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. 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 , . Ensure that the fundamental principle of the Bennington Police Department . 8 arrested in Bennington drug bust - wcax.com 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. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes. 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. Anthony Union High School. . the court. Jelley was subsequently transported to Albany Medical Center for further treatment. The incident is the first reported homicide case in Bennington or the county this year. ACLU of Vermont Legal Director Lia Ernst: Mr. You have permission to edit this article. 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. They say the car hit Monday is. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. 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. Contact Tiffany Tan . Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. : Mr. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. They said they attempted to call a possible contact for Heck but did not receive an immediate call back. 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. Low 29F. What To Do: Saturday, March 4 - wcax.com If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. . Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. Winds light and variable. 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. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. 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. Don't miss the big stories. Vermont schools, N.H. Walmarts receive apparent hoax threats Press Releases. One-car crash in Bennington under investigation After. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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.. Police investigate after explosive device found at property in Bennington Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. The story will be updated as more information is made available. Lawsuit Challenges Rights Violations by Bennington Police Officials The exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. 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. Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . When they arrived, authorities say they found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. . 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. 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 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. Planned Parenthood to close 5 centers in north New England. 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. Sauer was later processed at the Shaftsbury State Police Barracks and released with a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division on 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. According to police, the device was confirmed to be an energetic destructive device. 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. 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. 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. 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. He must appear at any scheduled hearings in Windham County or face a violation of release. Bennington, Vt., Police identify the deceased in Route 279 overpass Twelve Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking Three Bennington residents arrested in two separate drug busts The male operator of the vehicle, Bradley J. Jelley was located outside the vehicle with suspected serious injuries. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. He also told police he did not know Heck to be someone who would drink and drive, according to the reports. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. In addition, the specialized resources of the Vermont State Police support our local, county and federal partners in times of need. 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. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. Police release identities of Bennington homicide victim, suspect Hager told police at the crash scene that Hecks vehicle had passed several vehicles and he was behind it traveling east on Route 279. ACLU sues Bennington Police over alleged rights violations 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. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. 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. Alleged white supremacist arrested for violating conditions of release Jim Therrien writes for New England Newspapers in Southern Vermont. The search had been suspended on Friday night, according to the reports, because of darkness, the cold, the loss of the scent track, and not knowing if the male had a weapon.. After Mr. Chinnici had been unlawfully seized, Doucette interrogated Mr. Chinnici, telling him, Im not going to lie to you. Doucette then told Mr. Chinniciuntruthfullythat a witness had identified him as the gunman by a unique facial tattoo, while Mr. Chinnici maintained his innocence. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. 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. Incorporate this belief into the mission, vision, goals, ethics, and oath of the Bennington Police Department. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. He was taken into custody soon after. 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 did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. Suspicious explosive device found in Bennington home The Bennington Police Department is still searching for his alleged killer, Raul Cardona, 28 . Police have said the other shoe might have pulled off his foot in a wet area or stream in the woods. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. 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. 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. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. 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. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. Police investigated a report of an explosive device found at a property in Bennington on Thursday. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . According to reports from the officers involved, witnesses said Heck, 35, was involved in an apparent road rage incident and attempting to pass a pickup truck near the Austin Hill Road underpass when his Nissan Frontier pickup truck swerved and struck the side of the other vehicle. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing | Local News Doucette said Wednesday that police came to believe that Heck deliberately struck Hagers truck prior to the crash. 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. 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. 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. Members of the Bennington community need to be clear in their expectations for the police department. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. 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. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Like us on Facebook. 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.. They are Trooper Paul Pennoyer and Sgt. 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. 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. 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. Winds light and variable. Sgt. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. Follow 21K. ACLU Sues Bennington Police Over 2016 Investigation, Arrest Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. 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. 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. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. Sgt. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. A Bennington man, Joseph Cattani, 48, is facing manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in Sharbys death. Hager told police Heck then began to apply his brakes, and slowed to about 25 miles per hour. Wright allegedly threatened to intentionally cause a car crash with the former judge to attempt to show he drives intoxicated. Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. Media Releases and News. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. 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. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of Springfield,. 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. 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. 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. or the public information officer. Bennington Police Department press release Jan. 11, 2021 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. 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. 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.