Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. 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. 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. Ultimately, the state legislature will have to decide how much longer it will tolerate these kinds of abuses before taking corrective actions to reimagine public safety and policing in Vermont.. 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. 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. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. 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. Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Two drug busts in Bennington have three residents facing a multitude of drug charges. 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. 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. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. Additional factors, he said, include other drivers who witnessed what was described as a road rage incident on Route 279 on Jan. 8. 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. Chance of snow 40%. . 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. A copy of the complaint is available here. Both vehicles had been travelling east shortly after 6 p.m. from Hoosick, N.Y., into Bennington. The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. He was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in is in stable condition. 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. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. 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. 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. Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. From 3PM Thursday to 3PM today, troopers responded to 50 weather-related crashes, bringing the total for this round of winter weather to 89. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. 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. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Show Transcript. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. 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. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . . BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. Sgt. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 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.. Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. 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. 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. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. A Bennington man, Joseph Cattani, 48, is facing manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in Sharbys death. The incident was first reported on. 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. Winds light and variable. Williams was later issued a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division to be arraigned for the charge of Simple Assault. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. 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. Wright could be heard on the video saying the day and time, then he is seen getting out of his white pickup truck and walking to the side door. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. 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. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. Lake Champlain Chocolates is hosting a free chocolate demo this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Burlington. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Contact Tiffany Tan . Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. He had the gun. Chance of snow 70%.. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. 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. 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 Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Bennington Police, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Fire Department and Walt's Towing. Recently, according to the affidavit, Wright approached an officer telling him to arrest a former judge for driving under the influence. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. 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. After an attempt was made to locate Wright, an arrest warrant was issued. Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. They said they attempted to call a possible contact for Heck but did not receive an immediate call back. 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. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. 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. Ultimately, the state legislature will have to decide how much longer it will tolerate these kinds of abuses before taking corrective actions to reimagine public safety and policing in Vermont., On the morning of January 11, 2016, two masked men robbed employees of Martins Mini Mart, the latest of a string of unsolved robberies in Bennington. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. 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. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. 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. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.