Copy and paste this code into your website. Anthony Union High School. 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. This includes having more open conversations about coping with stress and trauma within the Bennington Police Department and informing the public, as well as elected and appointed officials, of the stress and demands on officers and staff. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. Contributing factors, road rage, and DUI drugs/alcohol.. 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. However, as communities, elected officials, appointed officials and the Bennington Police Department are developing new and innovative approaches to public safety, the focus should expand beyond just policies and procedures to include both the broader criminal justice and public health ecosystems: Maximize available, thoughtful resources, similar to the process for recommendations from the Commission of Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police. 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. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. The Bennington Police Department was the first chartered municipal police department in the. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. 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 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. 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. Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. 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. Police say Patrick Mullinnex, 38, of 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. 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. ign up to be in the camp is usually in April or May until filled. 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. . When they arrived, authorities say they found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Wright, the son of prominent Bennington legislator Ralph Wright, who served in the . Low 29F. Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. The device was found by property management personnel who were doing work at the residence. 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.. Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. 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. Subscribe today. Prosecution and punishment should be proportional to the offense alleged and should not vary by race, wealth or status of the defendant. South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 652-6300 . Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. 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. 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. Low 29F. 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. Wright allegedly threatened to intentionally cause a car crash with the former judge to attempt to show he drives intoxicated. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. According to property management, there was nobody living at the residence as the the residence was in transition. 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 , . From 3PM Thursday to 3PM today, troopers responded to 50 weather-related crashes, bringing the total for this round of winter weather to 89. 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 say a male suspect in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation and that there is no danger to the public. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. 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. While attempting several times to acquire copies of police reports concerning the crash, family members and friends of Heck have alleged that the BPD was negligent for not trying harder to find him afterward. 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. . 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. 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. Wright faces a maximum six-months in jail and a $250 fine, if convicted on the count. the court. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Chance of snow 90%.. BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Let's take a look at what to do this Saturday. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. They are Trooper Paul Pennoyer and Sgt. The Advocates recognize the departments forward thinking and action to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing hybrid vehicles and their growing e-bike program. . . Anyone with information is asked to contact Bennington Police at (802) 442-1030 or online at www.benningtonpolice.com. Subscribe today. 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. The week-long camp is a great way for kids to learn new skills while doing fun activities and building positive relationships. The exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. A second device was located inside the residence but also determined not to be destructive. Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. Additional factors, he said, include other drivers who witnessed what was described as a road rage incident on Route 279 on Jan. 8. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. 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. 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. And there could be questions about where Heck became intoxicated, Doucette said, noting that he was reported to have been at the Man of Kent Tavern on Route 7 in Hoosick, N.Y., earlier that day. 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. 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. Troopers made contact with the operator who was identified as Riendeau (52). The story will be updated as more information is made available. Media Releases and News. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. 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. Share this page on your favorite Social network. Embrace proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety in Bennington. Sgt. Vermont News. According to a posting by the Bennington Police Department, they responded immediately and determined the reports were false. Like us on Facebook. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The vehicle ultimately came to rest in the center of Burgess Road. 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. The Nissan then rolled over and came to rest about 25 feet off the north side of the highway. As of Monday evening, it was unclear whether the suspect has already been charged or when he might appear in court. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. 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. He was ordered to not have any contact or harass Scanlon, not to come within 10 feet of the courthouse or stalk Scanlon in any manner. or the public information officer. Subscribe today. The Bennington community should expect excellence, while also recognizing that Bennington Police Officers are human. 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. Police were granted a search warrant and rendered the scene safe at around 5 p.m. While there are multiple ways to hold offenders accountable, prosecutorial and judicial discretion is an important tenet of the criminal justice system. 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. You . 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. 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. Winds light and variable. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. 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.. 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 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. You have permission to edit this article. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Bennington and police say he is considered armed and dangerous. in police interrogations. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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 Bennington, police said they received a false report of two student shootings one at Grace Christian School and one at Mt. 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. 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. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [emailprotected], 802-223-6304x111. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. 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. 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. by: Courtney Ward. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. Occasional snow showers. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. Show Transcript. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. The Bennington Police Department and Chief Paul Doucette have earned the 2021 Environmental Leadership award from Climate Advocates Bennington. Driver hospitalized after Bennington car crash. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Bennington Police Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. The Vermont Police Bomc Squad rendered the device safe and evidence was collected. 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. Low 29F. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. Bennington Police Department executed their . Press Releases. According to a Vermont State Police news release, Patrick Mullinnex, the deceased victim in Wednesday's shooting on Pleasant Street in . Please note news releases are available on this blog for 30 days following their public release. Bennington Police say an officer investigating a separate incident near Route 279 Tuesday heard shots nearby. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . 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. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. Police investigate shooting in Bennington, Northern New York woman killed in 2-vehicle crash. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse. A similar proposal was one of many police reforms opposed and defeated by law enforcement leaders last year. Headquarters | 45 State Drive | Waterbury, VT 05671 | 802-241-5000, RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley, CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Don't miss the big stories. 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. The illegally obtained evidence was then used against Mr. Chinnici at trial. Members of the Bennington Police Department and elected and appointed officials must jointly shoulder the responsibility to share expectations and offer solutions. Posted: Feb 27, 2023 / 10:10 PM EST. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Follow 21K. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) The Bennington Police Department touting a large drug bust on Tuesday. A copy of the complaint is available here. Nobody was hurt during this investigation and it is believed at this time there is no threat to the public. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Healing of the community means healing of all. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. 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. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Elected and appointed officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome. Man of Kent owner Jon Bombard told Bennington police after the crash that he was a friend of Hecks, and asked that he be reported missing. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Winds light and variable. 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. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Doucette commented following the release of multiple police . These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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?". 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. Like us on Facebook. 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.