Arrests made in gun theft and I-89 wrong-way driver

August 13, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Vermont State Police arrested two men they say stole four guns from a Waterbury residence last month.

Trooper Ryan Riegler said police received a report on July 11 of four stolen firearms from a residence on South Main Street. 

Investigation determined that 27-year-old Thomas Worden of Waterbury and Craig Leibold, 29 of East Montpelier, entered a residence and took four guns belonging to Damian Wise, 29 of Waterbury, Riegler said. 

The pair later sold the firearms to an unknown individual, police said. 

Information released so far does not specify the type of firearms involved, whether they have been recovered, or any details about the buyer. Riegler said additional details will be available in court documents when Worden and Leibold are arraigned. 

On Thursday, Aug. 11, police issued citations to Worden and Leibold to appear in Washington County Superior Court-Criminal Division on Sept. 22 to answer to charges of burglary, larceny, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. 

Wrong-way driver 

Early on Friday, Aug. 12, state police along with Williston police managed to safely stop a wrong-way driver on Interstate 89 in the one-lane construction zone near the Richmond exit. 

Police said they received multiple calls alerting them to the wayward driver just before 1 a.m. on Friday. The vehicle was reported to be traveling northbound in the southbound lane from the area of Exit 10 in Waterbury, according to Trooper Omar Bulle.         

Troopers along with Williston police located the vehicle in the single southbound lane of the construction zone traveling north at mile marker 77, near Exit 11 in Richmond. 

After stopping the vehicle, police said they identified the driver as 46-year-old Rebecca Rogers of South Royalton. 

While speaking with Rogers, Bulle said they observed several indicators of impairment. Rogers was arrested for suspicion of DUI and taken to the Williston state police barracks for processing. 

While at the barracks, police said Rogers intentionally damaged state property. She was issued citations for driving under the influence third offense, gross negligent operation, and unlawful mischief and was ordered held until sober, according to police. 

Rogers was scheduled to appear in Chittenden County Superior Court later on Friday morning.