June 24, 2026:
Impaired driving and reckless speed dominated Vermont’s police blotters this past week, with DUI arrests from St. George to Berlin and two drivers clocked near 100 mph. More serious allegations also surfaced: an attempted arson and standoff in Pittsford, an alleged police impersonator in Newfane, and an inmate accused of throwing liquid at a correctional officer in St. Johnsbury. State Police also identified two people killed in a Chelsea house fire. Here is a county-by-county look.
Addison County: In a weekly roundup of criminally suspended-license stops released June 22, State Police said Christopher Helmer, 44, of Burlington was stopped on Route 22A in Panton. Helmer is cited to appear in Addison County Superior Court on August 3. Read more
Bennington County: A trooper using radar clocked a vehicle at 98 mph in a posted 50 mph zone on U.S. Route 7 in Pownal on June 21, State Police say. The driver, Dewight E. Burnell, 22, of Pownal, was cited for excessive speed and is due in Bennington Superior Court on August 17. Read more
Caledonia County: State Police charged David Goodwin, 22, listed as homeless, with aggravated disorderly conduct. Investigators allege that on June 18 Goodwin, already lodged at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury, threw an unknown liquid into a correctional officer’s face and chest. He was cited June 23 into Caledonia County court. Read more
Chittenden County: Troopers from the Williston Barracks arrested Kelly Degrechie, 64, of St. George on suspicion of DUI on Birch Road on the evening of June 21, State Police say. She was released with a citation and faces charges of DUI and criminally suspended license, with a court date of August 4. Read more
Franklin County: Troopers responded to a reported assault on River Street in Richford on June 22. State Police allege Dorcas Button, 41, of Richford caused bodily injury to 60-year-old Stephen Russell, also of Richford. Button was cited to appear in Franklin County court on July 28 for simple assault. Read more
Lamoille County: State Police are seeking information after roughly $10,000 in construction supplies were stolen from a job site off Route 12 in Elmore. Troopers say a pallet of posts and stainless-steel cables belonging to CT Stoneworks & Excavating was taken overnight into June 23. No suspect has been named. Read more
🍁 Make a One-Time Contribution — Stand Up for Accountability in Vermont 🍁
Orange County: State Police identified the two people who died in a June 17 house fire on North Common in Chelsea as Max Quayle, 57, and Karen Snyder, 71, both residents of the home. The deaths are being investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Read more
Orleans County: A Derby man reported his silver 2014 Toyota Prius stolen from a Nelson Hill Road residence early on June 18, State Police say. Troopers say Michael Abel, 42, reported the car taken without his consent; it was located later that morning. The case remains under investigation. Read more
Rutland County: State Police arrested Jeremie Bernard, 42, of Pittsford after responding to suspicious activity at a Champlain Farms on June 21. Troopers allege Bernard tried to set gas pumps on fire, vandalized a neighboring home and threatened a neighbor before a short standoff. He was lodged without bail on charges including aggravated assault on a protected person, attempted arson and unlawful mischief. Read more
Washington County: Berlin Barracks troopers arrested Joseph F. Henry, 38, of Montpelier on June 23 after responding to a disabled vehicle on Interstate 89 North in Berlin. State Police say Henry was impaired and charged him with second-offense DUI and giving false information to police — his second DUI arrest that same day. Read more
Windham County: State Police charged Frederick Berard, 59, of Newfane with impersonating an officer after reports that someone posed as law enforcement in downtown Newfane on June 17 and 18. Troopers say their investigation identified Berard, who was cited to appear in Windham Superior Court on July 28. Read more
Windsor County: Earlier on June 23, Royalton Barracks troopers stopped the same Joseph Henry, 38, on Interstate 89 after a report that a vehicle struck a parked car at the Sharon Welcome Center and left. State Police say Henry showed signs of impairment and arrested him on suspicion of DUI and leaving the scene; he is due in Windsor County court on July 7. Read more
Vermont State Police:
Williston Barracks – 89 mph stop in Fletcher
Troopers running radar on Route 108 North in Fletcher on June 22 say they clocked a vehicle at 89 mph in a 50 mph zone. Isaiah Burns, 20, of St. Albans, was cited for excessive speed and is due in Franklin County court on August 3. Read more
Berlin Barracks – DUI after erratic-driver report
Responding to an erratic-driver report on Interstate 89 on June 22, troopers stopped a vehicle on the Exit 5 ramp in Williamstown. State Police say Francis Irish, 43, of South Royalton showed signs of impairment and was arrested on suspicion of first-offense DUI and negligent operation, with a July 15 court date. Read more
St. Albans Barracks – Motorcycle crash in Enosburgh
A motorcyclist was seriously injured June 22 after failing to negotiate a curve on Sampsonville Road in Enosburgh and striking a guardrail, State Police say. Rider Todd Santor, 56, was taken to Northwestern Medical Center and then to the University of Vermont Medical Center. Read more
St. Albans Barracks – Pedestrian struck in Swanton
State Police are asking for help identifying a vehicle that struck a pedestrian on Cook Road in Swanton early on June 16. Troopers say Braeden Aldridge, 36, of Alburgh was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and a vehicle of interest has not been identified. Read more
From routine traffic stops to a tense standoff in Pittsford, Vermont’s troopers, deputies and municipal officers again stood between their neighbors and harm this week. We thank the men and women of law enforcement across the Green Mountains for their steady, often thankless work.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
You can find FYIVT on YouTube | X(Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram
#fyivt #VermontCrime #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement
Support Us for as Little as $5 – Get In The Fight!!
Make a Big Impact with $25/month—Become a Premium Supporter!
Join the Top Tier of Supporters with $50/month—Become a SUPER Supporter!
Subscribe to RSS
Leave a Reply