ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont State Police are investigating two recent thefts of vehicles in Orwell, and is seeking the public’s help.
The owner of a white 1999 Dodge passenger van reported it stolen from Sanford Road in Orwell sometime between April 11 and 18. This van is registered in Vermont and has tinted windows. Also reported stolen from this property were six industrial size batteries.
Separately, on April 30 troopers were informed that sometime in the evening of Sunday, April 29, a thief entered an unlocked vehicle parked off Horton Road in Orwell and discovered that the keys were in the vehicle. The thief stole the vehicle, but the 22-year-old female victim did not discover it stolen until approximately 8 a.m. on Monday. The vehicle was stolen with approximately three quarters of a tank of fuel.
Anyone with information regarding either theft is asked to call the New Haven VSP barracks at 802-388-4919.
In other recent activity, local VSP:
•  On April 16 at 9:45 p.m. stopped two cars allegedly speeding on Route 7 in Salisbury. Troopers said Joshua Bankert of Cuttingsville and David Cohen of Rutland, both 18 years old, were both driving vehicles traveling 83 mph in a 50 mph zone. A trooper said Cohen stated that he and Bankert were racing. Both Cohen and Bankert were cited into the Addison Criminal Division for speeding.
•  On April 20 at 11:20 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle driven by Christopher Sumner, 30, of North Ferrisburgh for allegedly driving 66 mph in a 50 mph zone on Plank Road in Ferrisburgh. Troopers discovered that Sumner had conditions of release set by court, including the condition that he not drive a motor vehicle. Police cited him for driving with a suspended license and violation of conditions.
•  On April 22 at 4 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Route 7 in Salisbury for speeding. The trooper cited the driver, Corey W. Nulty, 29, of St. George for driving with a criminally suspended license.
•  On April 22 were called to a report of an assault in Monkton. After investigating, troopers arrested Cory Steady, 33 of Waltham and cited him into court for domestic assault and resisting arrest. They lodged Steady at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility.
•  On April 25 at approximately 7:45 p.m. stopped a vehicle driven in Middlebury by Karen Poppenga, 39, of Whiting. Police cited her with driving under the influence.
•  On April 28 at 10:10 p.m. stopped to check on a vehicle parked on Lake Dunmore Road in Salisbury. Troopers said they noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the driver and the vehicle and observed marijuana on the seat of the vehicle. They cited the driver, Robert Schroeder, 24, of Salisbury into court for possession of marijuana.
•  On April 29 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Vermont State Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on West River Road in Lincoln. After speaking to the drivers of both vehicles involved in the crash — Christopher Wetmore, 27, of Vergennes driving a motorcycle and Kerry Malloy, 52, of Lincoln driving a van — and further investigation, troopers concluded that Malloy was attempting to negotiate a left turn in the van when Wetmore’s motorcycle struck the rear bumper of the van. The weather was reported as clear and the road dry, and no injuries were reported.
•  On April 29 at approximately 10 p.m. responded to a motor vehicle accident on Quaker Village Road in Weybridge. Upon arrival, troopers spoke with the 19-year-old driver, who said he swerved to avoid an animal running across the roadway in front of his car. The car ultimately struck a tree.
•  Vermont State Police recently completed an investigation concerning checks that were stolen from a residence in Monkton and cashed in Chittenden County. Senior Trooper Andrew Leise reported that investigation revealed that Robert Germaine, 29, previously of Monkton forged a check by signing the owner’s name on it, filling it out for $400, and cashing the check at a bank in Hinesburg. Germaine was cited to appear in Chittenden County Court on May 15 to answer to the charges of uttering a forged instrument.