You have permission to edit this article. Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. 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. Bennington - AP NEWS 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. Harrington reported that Bombard said he last saw Heck around 4 p.m. the night of the crash. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department touting a large drug bust on Tuesday. Low 29F. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Bennington Police, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Fire Department and Walt's Towing. . Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one-car crash with ejection on Burgess Road in Woodford. the court. They say they responded to a residence for a report of suspicious drug activity. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. the court. The Bennington Police Department discusses in a press release, issued Jan. 11, their work following Hans Heck's vehicular crash on Jan. 8. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. 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. 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. BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building, a misdemeanor. Healing of the community means healing of all. 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. 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. 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. Police detectives say that Misch went to the . . 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. Twelve Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking Subscribe today. One driver traveling in the same direction on Jan. 8 told police the Heck vehicle earlier passed several vehicles in the breakdown lane at speeds the witness estimated at up to 100 mph, before then slowing to almost a complete stop and almost causing a crash. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. 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. 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. Bennington Police Department executed their . Public Information | Vermont State Police The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. January 18, 2023. Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. Suspicious explosive device found in Bennington home Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. 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. Troopers report they found a Chevrolet Silverado with significant . He must appear at any scheduled hearings in Windham County or face a violation of release. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes after Mr. Chinni had already been arrested. Prosecution and punishment should be proportional to the offense alleged and should not vary by race, wealth or status of the defendant. 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. in police interrogations. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. 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. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 317 were here. 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. Bennington Police investigate reports of shots fired Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Police say there is no danger to the public, and no one has been reported injured. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. 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. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. 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. . ACLU Sues Bennington Police Over 2016 Investigation, Arrest On that Sunday, police also reported speaking with Bombard, owner of the Man of Kent. Adoption of these approaches must become wide-spread and serve as principles for the Bennington Police Department. or the public information officer. 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 week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. Lawsuit Challenges Rights Violations by Bennington Police Officials Bennington Banner Compliments of: The Bennington Banner Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward. ACLU of Vermont Legal Director Lia Ernst: Mr. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Contrary to social media reports, no bomb or explosive device was involved in the attack, Doucette said. Show Transcript. According to a Vermont State Police news release, Patrick Mullinnex, the deceased victim in Wednesday's shooting on Pleasant Street in . Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 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. Doucette commented following the release of multiple police . Low 29F. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. They say the car hit Monday is. 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. 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. 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 - 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. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation What To Do: Saturday, March 4 - wcax.com 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. You . 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. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Many police agencies throughout the United States have implemented community-focused police approaches and have policies, procedures and practices in place that emphasize the duty of care as well as strict policies and procedures around police tactics to ensure the well-being and safety of the community and officers. Chance of snow 40%. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. 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. 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. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). Share this page on your favorite Social network. 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. As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. 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. Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. The incident is the first reported homicide case in Bennington or the county this year. Bennington Police Department press release Jan. 11, 2021 Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. Anthony Union High School. 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 say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Bennington Police have been. 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. 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. of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. Feb 24. He had the gun. 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. The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. Don't miss the big stories. Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. 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. They are Trooper Paul Pennoyer and Sgt. Bennington Police identify the deceased in Route 279 overpass incident . 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. 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. Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. 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. Town of Bennington, Vermont - Serving people through teamwork The suspect resisted arrest but was detained after a brief struggle, Doucette said. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . Vermont schools, N.H. Walmarts receive apparent hoax threats Three Bennington residents arrested in two separate drug busts Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. Hager told police at the crash scene that Hecks vehicle had passed several vehicles and he was behind it traveling east on Route 279. BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Let's take a look at what to do this Saturday. 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. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. Sgt. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. Occasional snow showers. 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. Develop an objective and clearly established evaluation process for the Bennington Police Department based on shared, understood expectations. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Media Releases and News. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [emailprotected], 802-223-6304x111. A weapon believed to be involved in the attack was recovered by officers, he said in the release. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [email protected], 802-223-6304 x111 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 . The driver then fled the scene on foot running south into the wooded area, police said they were told, and that the driver appeared to be intoxicated. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. BENNINGTON, Vt. Bennington, Vt., Police have released the name of the individual who fell to their death off the Chapel Road-Route 279 overpass on Feb. 20. 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. 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.. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department also responded to the incident. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Nobody was hurt during this investigation and it is believed at this time there is no threat to the public. 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. 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. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks / DUI #2 Elected and appointed officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. 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. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building-a misdemeanor. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. A copy of the complaint is available here. 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 same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU, against BPD, while another caseinvolving, city officials retaliation against an interracial family. While speaking with Riendeau indicators of impairment were observed. Bennington, Vt., Police identify the deceased in Route 279 overpass : Mr. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. 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.. Doucette said Wednesday that police came to believe that Heck deliberately struck Hagers truck prior to the crash. Syringe Services Program information card. . 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. 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. 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 is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com.