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. Like us on Facebook. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. Elected and appointed officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome. BENNINGTON - The annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway, one of the area's most popular events for children, is scheduled for Aug. 18 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bennington Auto Mall on Performance Drive. 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. Trooper responded and located the vehicle travelling north on US Route 7. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Like us on Facebook. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating after a suspicious explosive device was found inside a home in Bennington on Thursday. Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. Show Transcript. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. 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. January 18, 2023. 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. Incorporate this belief into the mission, vision, goals, ethics, and oath of the Bennington Police Department. 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. 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. 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. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. the court. 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.. 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 - Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette tests his skills against the third grade class at Monument Elementary School on Friday morning during a game of "Are you smarter than a third grader?". The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Shaftsbury man sues Vermont State Police for $25 million - VTDigger Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. 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. Bennington Police Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. Feb 24. 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. Alleged white supremacist arrested for violating conditions of release 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. Nobody was hurt during this investigation and it is believed at this time there is no threat to the public. One-car crash in Bennington under investigation Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. 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.. 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. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. 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. Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. Bennington homicide victim linked to assault, kidnapping in Springfield 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. Copy and paste this code into your website. I stand by the actions of the officers.. 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. 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. 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. Wright faces a maximum six months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing. the court. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. 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. 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. 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. 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. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of Springfield,. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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 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. Harrington reported that Bombard said he last saw Heck around 4 p.m. the night of the crash. 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. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. 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. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. 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. Winds light and variable. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). 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.. The incident is the first reported homicide case in Bennington or the county this year. Bennington Police Department | Bennington VT - Facebook A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. 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. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. While speaking with Riendeau indicators of impairment were observed. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash. 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. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. They say the car hit Monday is. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. Suspicious explosive device found in Bennington home Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! BENNINGTON Police said a male suspect has been arrested in a killing in downtown Bennington on Monday. 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. 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. Like us on Facebook. 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. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. News - wcax.com Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. : Mr. 2 Bennington residents arrested after search turns up firearms, drugs He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. 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. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks / Simple Assault Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. A copy of the complaint is available here. Jim Therrien writes for New England Newspapers in Southern Vermont. Hager told police Heck then began to apply his brakes, and slowed to about 25 miles per hour. 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. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. Bennington Police investigate possible 'incendiary' device 'Energetic destructive device' found at house in Bennington, Vt Police say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. Press Releases. 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. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. . The incident was first reported on. Police investigate shooting in Bennington - wcax.com