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. 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. Ralph Wright Jr., 64, was arraigned at the same courthouse he attempted to break into. 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. Bombard said his friend was in a good mood and not in any arguments or confrontations while at the Man of Kent, according to the report. Contact Tiffany Tan at ttan@benningtonbanner.com or @tiffgtan on Facebook and Twitter. Snow showers. 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 same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU settled a racial profiling lawsuit against BPD, while another caseinvolving city officials retaliation against an interracial family who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. The police dog found a scent to follow for a time Friday but it was eventually lost, police said. Subsequently, Riendeau was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. 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.. 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. Town of Bennington, Vermont - Serving people through teamwork Preliminary investigation revealed that Jelley's vehicle was travelling East on Burgess Road when the vehicle exited the south side of the roadway for unknown reasons. Chance of snow 70%.. 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. More information Bennington police accused of negligence in missing man case The police reports also describe attempting to locate Heck at the address on his Vermont drivers license but learning he did not live there, then checking two other addresses in Bennington where he was said to possibly be living. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. 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 exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. Bennington Police Department leadership need to continue to emphasize and prioritize equally both the physical safety and mental well-being of officers and staff. Like us on Facebook. Pictured are scenes from a multi-vehicle crash & slide-offs this morning on I-89 in Georgia VT. ALT. Officers reported that Hager told them Hecks vehicle then tried to pull back in front of him too soon and crashed into the front driver side fender of his truck, before the Nissan went out of control and rolled over three times. Officers searching the night of the crash with a K-9 unit reported hearing branches breaking in the woods near a 10-foot wildlife fence and called out, saying, Bennington Police K-9 unit. Feb 24. Police tried to arrest him once a second officer arrived at the location. BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) Vermont State Police are reporting the arrest of Max Misch, 38, of Bennington for violating the conditions of his release. Bennington Police investigate reports of shots fired State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . 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 , . . Subscribe today. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. Planned Parenthood to close 5 centers in north New England. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. The same year the IACP issued its findings and reform recommendations, the ACLU, against BPD, while another caseinvolving, city officials retaliation against an interracial family. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 8 arrested in Bennington drug bust - wcax.com Media Releases and News. or the public information officer. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. Jim Therrien writes for New England Newspapers in Southern Vermont. 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.. This responsibility includes listening and weighing outcomes of potential decisions and policies. BENNINGTON - The annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway, one of the area's most popular events for children, is scheduled for Aug. 18 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bennington Auto Mall on Performance Drive. He had the gun. May 13, 2022 GMT. ACLU of Vermont Legal Director Lia Ernst: Mr. 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. Multiple crews responded but did not find anything. 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 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. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. Bennington - AP NEWS Hager told police Heck then began to apply his brakes, and slowed to about 25 miles per hour. Simultaneously State Police were advised the vehicle in question had recently been stolen from the Town of Manchester. A phone number police obtained for the registered owner of the Nissan, the drivers sister, Karen Heck, was found to no longer be in service, police said. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Vermont schools, N.H. Walmarts receive apparent hoax threats Contact: Stephanie Gomory, [emailprotected], 802-223-6304x111. It also has not identified the female victim. The Bennington Police Department is withholding the suspects name until criminal charges are filed. 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. Twelve Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking The vehicle then struck two medium/large trees which caused significant contact damage to the front of the truck and tore the passenger side of the vehicle from the rest of the truck cab. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. BENNINGTON Police said a male suspect has been arrested in a killing in downtown Bennington on Monday. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. Mr. Chinnici was seized in front of family, handcuffed, and charged with the robbery. The Vermont State Police is a full-service law enforcement agency that provides primary law enforcement services to approximately 200 towns, 90 percent of the land mass, and 50 percent of the population in Vermont. Thomas "TJ" Howard, both of the Vermont State Police. If members of the Bennington community want changes to police department operations, the Police Chief should inform the public of potential costs and benefits of that change allowing the community to make informed and appropriate decisions. 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. 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 suspect resisted arrest but was detained after a brief struggle, Doucette said. . . BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police were dispatched to a one-car crash with ejection on Burgess Road in Woodford. He added that safety concerns for the officers played a role in a police decision to suspend a ground search with a K-9 unit the night of the crash, while police in cruisers afterward continued to patrol that night around nearby roads. Jim Therrien writes for the Vermont News and Media newspapers, including the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and Brattleboro Reformer. 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. 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. Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette declined comment Tuesday, stating, "Further details are not being released at this time." A candlelight vigil had been set for Tuesday evening near the. 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. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. On the above date and time, the Vermont State Police-Shaftsbury Barracks was made aware of a possible assault that occurred in the Town of Arlington, VT. Further investigation revealed that Williams had assaulted West causing an injury to his face. At one point, Wright filmed a sheriffs deputy as he washed his car at a public car wash, asking the deputy how he paid for the wash. Officers responded to 308 Pleasant Street for a report of a fight involving a knife. who were targeted by BPDis currently pending at the Human Rights Commission. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. Contact Tiffany Tan . You . Acknowledge that past and present inequities in the Bennington community often shape views that drive calls for change. If Heck had not left the scene of the crash, he would have been charged with gross negligent operation and aggravated assault, Harrington wrote. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. 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. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Police investigated a report of an explosive device found at a property in Bennington on Thursday. Not you. After sustained pressure by BPD, Mr. Mayhew falsely identified Mr. Chinnici as his accompliceapproximately 30 minutes after Mr. Chinni had already been arrested. 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. Anthony Union High School. He is charged with one count of attempted unlawful trespass into a building-a misdemeanor. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. 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. The Bennington Police Department is still searching for his alleged killer, Raul Cardona, 28 . Press Releases Crime and Justice Shaftsbury man sues Vermont State Police for $25 million, alleging troopers assaulted him By Ethan Weinstein Jan 18 2022 Vermont State Police Trooper. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Doucette then returned to pressuring Mayhew, telling him [Y]ou gotta be the one to officially say it. Ensure that the fundamental principle of the Bennington Police Department . Police have said the other shoe might have pulled off his foot in a wet area or stream in the woods. BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10) Vermont State Police are . 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. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. 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. The male operator of the vehicle, Bradley J. Jelley was located outside the vehicle with suspected serious injuries. Speaking after release of the reports, Doucette said he is sorry for the familys loss, but he also believes people have to look at the totality of circumstances surrounding this incident, which he said emerged in the incident reports, especially after a medical examiners report was released late last week confirmed the alcohol level. Press Releases; Top Stories. Don't miss the big stories. BPD officers had already been harassing Mr. Chinnici, including stopping him without cause simply because he was in [their] radar sights.. 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. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. Chance of snow 40%. Healing of the community means healing of all. BPD continued pushing Mayhew to incriminate Mr. Chinnici, ignoring Mayhews invocation of Miranda rights and promising him leniency. He must appear at any scheduled hearings in Windham County or face a violation of release. Riendeau was released to a sober party. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. Whenever feasible, policies and practices should be evidence-based and represent the best interest of all involved. Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse | Local News Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Multiple people arrested in Bennington drug bust - NEWS10 ABC Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Pending, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. Winds light and variable. VSP News Releases: Shaftsbury Barracks/ DUI #1, Negligent Operation Superhero 5K - November, 2022. . 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. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . 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. Follow 21K. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Let's take a look at what to do this Saturday. Low 29F. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. Bennington Police Department leaders and officers need to be able to speak about potential outcomes to operational changes. The reports also state that witnesses, including the operator of the second vehicle, a Ford 250 pickup, Michael Hager, of Hoosick Falls, described Heck as appearing intoxicated. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: ON the above date and time, Vermont State Police were advised of a be on the lookout for a Dorr Oil truck which was being operated all over the roadway on US Route 7 in the Town of Shaftsbury. . 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. He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. BENNINGTON, Vt. . 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. 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. Ensure that all voices are welcomed and heard. Investigations are ongoing. The victim was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where she died of her injuries later Monday, police said. Chance of snow 40%. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. ACLU Sues Bennington Police Over 2016 Investigation, Arrest Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Shepley at the above listed phone number. After hours of Mayhew refusing to implicate Mr. Chinnici, BPD Chief Paul Doucette deviated from BPD policy and conducted an unrecorded and non-memorialized interview with Mayhew. Subscribe today. 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. Police investigate an area of the Walloomsac River pathway in Bennington on Monday. Adoption of these approaches must become wide-spread and serve as principles for the Bennington Police Department. 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. All rights reserved. Bennington Banner Compliments of: The Bennington Banner Tenets of the Bennington Police Department - Moving Forward. Shaftsbury man sues Vermont State Police for $25 million - VTDigger