Winds light and variable. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. . 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 device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. Hager told police at the crash scene that Hecks vehicle had passed several vehicles and he was behind it traveling east on Route 279. BENNINGTON Police said a male suspect has been arrested in a killing in downtown Bennington on Monday. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. 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.. Bennington Countys last known homicide was the fatal beating of Christopher Sharby, 46, which authorities said happened in Bennington last September. Trooper responded and located the vehicle travelling north on US Route 7. 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 . Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. It also has not identified the female victim. Police found a female victim on the ground just off of the walkway suffering from a significant laceration, Doucette said. As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. . 2 Bennington residents arrested after search turns up firearms, drugs Chance of snow 90%.. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. 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 , . Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash - news10.com I stand by the actions of the officers.. 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.. the court. : Mr. Published: Nov. 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PST. 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. 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. Sgt. VSP News Releases Wright was released after pleading not guilty to the charge. Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. Three Bennington residents arrested in two separate drug busts The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. 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. A weapon believed to be involved in the attack was recovered by officers, he said in the release. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. 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. Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriffs Department also responded to the incident. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. ACLU sues Bennington Police over alleged rights violations The reports also note that Hecks wallet was inside the vehicle along with a .40 cal. Police say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. Low 29F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. 'Energetic destructive device' found at house in Bennington, Vt Public Information | Vermont State Police 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. Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. 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. 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. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. 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. News - wcax.com Don't miss the big stories. 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. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. . Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. Like us on Facebook. Afterward, back on the record, Doucette implied that Mayhew had named John Chinnici specifically, which Mayhew denied. 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. You . Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. . 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. Bennington Police investigate possible 'incendiary' device Healing of the community means healing of all. Bennington Police Department leadership and officers must continue to hold each other accountable for wrongful actions, and always remember that officers have a duty to intervene to prevent or stop the use of excessive force by another officer when it is safe and reasonable to do so. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. On that Sunday, police also reported speaking with Bombard, owner of the Man of Kent. Planned Parenthood to close 5 centers in north New England. 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. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Share this page on your favorite Social network. 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. 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. Posted: Feb 27, 2023 / 10:10 PM EST. in police interrogations. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. BENNINGTON, Vt. . 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Winds light and variable. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. Chance of snow 40%. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. Winds light and variable. 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.. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). Trio of Vermonters accused of kidnapping, assault - NEWS10 ABC ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. Bennington Police investigate reports of shots fired Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing | Local News BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath | Local News 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.. You have permission to edit this article. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. 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. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. The Bennington Police Department is still searching for his alleged killer, Raul Cardona, 28 . The body has since been transported to Vermonts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Press Releases; Top Stories. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Harrington reported that Bombard said he last saw Heck around 4 p.m. the night of the crash. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. 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. They also checked with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center but were told he had not been treated there. A copy of the complaint is available here. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. UPDATE: Bennington man, ACLU sue police over arrest 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. 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. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . 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. The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. 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. 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. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one-car crash with ejection on Burgess Road in Woodford. 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. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. 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 exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. Chance of snow 40%. 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. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. In a follow-up report on Feb. 2, Harrington said he had talked with Bombard by phone about Hecks demeanor while at the Man of Kent Jan. 8. Suspicious explosive device found in Bennington home Vermont State Police and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department also responded to the incident.