Recent state police cases: grand larceny, drug/alcohol offenses, leaving the scene of an accident
Sept. 14, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout Update: This post was updated with additional details in the last item.
Vermont State Police say they intercepted a juvenile from New Hampshire at an Interstate 89 rest area in Waterbury Wednesday morning who was responsible for stealing a commercial truck in New Hampshire and a trailer in Vermont.
Just after 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 13, state police said they heard from the Lebanon, New Hampshire, police department about a stolen commercial truck. Troopers from the Berlin barracks shortly afterward spotted the vehicle and trailer at the I-89 southbound rest area in Waterbury.
Troopers found one individual in the truck – a 17-year-old male driver from Lebanon, according to the police report.
“Subsequent investigation indicated the suspect stole the tractor on the evening of Sept. 12 in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He then drove the truck to St. Albans, Vermont, and hitched onto a trailer,” police said.
The driver then headed south on the interstate with the stolen truck and trailer and stopped at the Waterbury rest area.
Troopers took the driver into custody without incident and took him to the Berlin Barracks. Police said that they would not release any further details in the case due to the age of the suspect.
The incident involved offenses of grand larceny, possession of stolen property, and aggravated operating without owner’s consent.
Waterbury man cited for enabling alcohol consumption by minors
On Friday, Sept. 8, Vermont State Police cited a Waterbury man for supplying several minors with alcohol and tobacco products.
Police said they received “numerous reports of an adult male providing alcohol and tobacco products to several minors” on State Drive in Waterbury.
An investigation discovered that Travis Omnik, age 26, of Waterbury, had both supplied alcohol and tobacco to numerous minors and enabled the consumption of the alcohol and tobacco, police said.
Omnik was issued citations to appear in Washington County criminal court on Oct. 5 to answer to the charges of contributing to juvenile delinquency and enabling consumption by minors, police said.
Hit-and-run crash damages Moretown Cemetery markers
Vermont State Police are investigating a recent incident at the Moretown Cemetery where a vehicle crashed into and damaged numerous gravestones and the driver left the scene.
Troopers were notified about the damage on Sept. 4 shortly before 7 a.m., according to Trooper Ryan Riegler from the Berlin barracks.
Police determined that a silver Subaru had gone off the road on Vermont Route 100B, “causing damage to numerous headstones in the cemetery.”
Judging from debris at the scene, the vehicle involved likely sustained damage to the front bumper, police said.
State police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the vehicle involved. Tips may be submitted anonymously by texting keyword VTIPS to 274637(CRIMES)or call the Berlin barracks at 802-229-9191.
Investigation leads to drug charges
In the course of an ongoing investigation, Vermont State Police recently cited a Waterbury man for a drug-related offense.
On Aug. 30, state police arrested Matthew May, age 38, of Waterbury, after executing a search warrant at 19 Wallace St. “During the search, troopers seized substances that tested positive for cocaine base, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia,” police said.
May was cited to appear in Washington County Superior Court on Oct. 5 to answer to the charge of possession of a controlled substance.
State police request that anyone with additional information contact investigators. Tips may be submitted anonymously by texting keyword VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES).
Driver in a highway stop cited for resisting arrest, assault on an officer
A one-vehicle crash on Interstate 89 in Middlesex recently led to a Northfield driver being cited for resisting arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer.
The incident happened on Aug. 30 just before 7 p.m. when troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash at mile marker 55.4 on I89 in Middlesex, VT. The driver of the 2005 Nissan Xterra involved was identified as Gage Buchanan, age 24, of Northfield, police said.
It was raining at the time and Buchanan told police that he lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway, hitting the guardrail. He was not injured and was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to police.
“During the investigation Buchanan left the scene of the crash,” police said.
Trooper Clay Knight from the Williston barracks explained: “The operator called the police after the crash and waited for us to arrive. After giving me some of their documents they drove away from the crash while I was still investigating the crash and cleaning up the raodway. I then went to their residence and waited for them to come home.”
The police account says that when troopers attempted to take Buchanan into custody, he resisted arrest and assaulted troopers. No one was seriously injured.
Buchanan was transported to the Berlin barracks and released with a citation to appear in Washington County criminal court on Oct. 12 to answer to the charges of resisting arrest, and assault on a law enforcement officer.