VERGENNES — Vergennes police said they are investigating a number of suspicious incidents and attempted break-ins in the Panton Road area between Jan. 22 and 27.
The first was called in during the evening of Jan. 22, when police received a report of someone looking into a Panton Road home. When police arrived they found footprints around the home and garage and discovered the garage had been entered. Police then learned a kayak had been taken from the garage and followed the footprints, finding the kayak about 100 yards away but losing the trail when it hit the road.
Later that evening, police were told someone was seen walking around a Third Street home. Again, police found footprints, and evidence that someone might have been scared off when a motion detection light came on.
On Jan. 23 two Panton Road residents reported finding footprints around their homes, and in one case a shed.
On Jan. 27, a Green Mountain Power employee reported an unsuccessful break-in attempt on a company shed near the Otter Creek Falls, an incident Vergennes police believe may be related to the other reports.
Police Chief George Merkel said the department has stepped up patrols in the area and has adjusted coverage hours to increase protection.
In other action between Jan. 21 and 27, Vergennes police:
•  On Jan. 22 helped a motorist get into a locked car at Vergennes Union High School.
•  On Jan. 23 responded to an accident in which a Northlands Job Corps student was struck by a car while walking on South Water Street. Police said the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad took the victim to Porter Hospital as a precaution, but he was OK.
•  On Jan. 23 helped VARS deal with a disorderly patient at a Monkton Road location.
•  On Jan. 24 ticketed an elderly man for driving without a passenger to supervise him, as required by his license, and towed his car.
•  On Jan. 24 discussed with Addison Northwest Supervisory Union personnel a second incident of threatening behavior by a female parent, and what steps ANwSU could take to upgrade security.
•  On Jan. 24 cited Jason Marshall, 20, of Vergennes for domestic assault and a felony count of unlawful mischief after he allegedly punched his sister, broke a bathroom door and did other damage to the inside of a home, and smashed windows in his sister’s car and damaged its bumpers. Police alleged a dispute began among Marshall and other family members when he struck his dog because he was frustrated by its inability to learn a trick.
•  On Jan. 25 locked the door of an empty West Main Street home after finding it open; police said they discovered a mess inside, but no serious damage.
•  On Jan. 25 stood by while a South Maple Street landlord inspected a property.
•  On Jan. 25 served a subpoena to a Northlands student on behalf of the state’s attorney’s office.
•  On Jan. 25 went to VUHS to deal with a journalist who was allegedly refusing to leave the premises; the journalist was gone when police arrived.
•  On Jan. 25 cited New Jersey resident Garth Davidson, 32, for marijuana and paraphernalia possession following a West Main Street traffic stop; he was also cited for speeding.
•  On Jan. 26 were told a wallet with $276 of cash had been taken from a car parked on the Northlands campus.
•  On Jan. 26 went to Bristol and helped police there take a disorderly woman into custody.
•  On Jan. 27 served court orders to West Street residents on behalf of the Addison County Sheriff’s Department.
•  On Jan. 27 backed up Vermont State Police while they searched a car on Panton Road in Panton.