Police say there is no danger to the public, and no one has been reported injured. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation, Possession of Stolen Property 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. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. You have permission to edit this article. Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. Like us on Facebook. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. A cell phone also was found, but it could not be accessed because it was fingerprint password protected, police said. . Chance of snow 40%. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. A copy of the complaint is available here. 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 incident reports by several officers released Tuesday morning describe what police found around 6:29 p.m. Jan. 8 at the crash scene and what witnesses told them about what led to the crash. 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. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. He was taken into custody soon after. Come out with your hands up, but there was no response, and police did not see the person making the noise. 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. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. According to a Vermont State Police news release, Patrick Mullinnex, the deceased victim in Wednesday's shooting on Pleasant Street in . BENNINGTON, Vt. . Bennington Police have been. Winds light and variable. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating after a suspicious explosive device was found inside a home in Bennington on Thursday. 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. Troopers report they found a Chevrolet Silverado with significant . 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. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. 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. BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. Superhero 5K - November, 2022. . Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. 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. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. He had the gun. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. 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. Incorporate this belief into the mission, vision, goals, ethics, and oath of the Bennington Police Department. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. 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 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. of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. Police investigate an area of the Walloomsac River pathway in Bennington on Monday. 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. The suspect resisted arrest but was detained after a brief struggle, Doucette said. They say the car hit Monday is. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. Low 29F. All rights reserved. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Syringe Services Program information card. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [emailprotected], 802-223-6304x111. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. 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 robbery, despite the fact that Mr. Chinnici did not match witness descriptions and no other evidence connected him to the crime. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. According to a posting by the Bennington Police Department, they responded immediately and determined the reports were false. COURT: Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of, the court. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Bennington Banner Compliments of: The Bennington Banner Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Two drug busts in Bennington have three residents facing a multitude of drug charges. Chance of snow 40%. Police say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Bennington Police, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Fire Department and Walt's Towing. Smith & Wesson handgun, and said a conceal carry gun permit from the state of Florida was inside the wallet. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . 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. BENNINGTON Two town residents were arrested Thursday after police said they found a semi-automatic rifle and handgun along with suspected illegal drugs and thousands in cash during an investigation. or the public information officer. 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. A Bennington man, Joseph Cattani, 48, is facing manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in Sharbys death. 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. Don't miss the big stories. Bennington Police Department executed their . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Bennington Police Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Let's take a look at what to do this Saturday. 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.