ADDISON COUNTY — This past Saturday at approximately 7 p.m. Vermont State Police were dispatched to campsites across Route 53 from Branbury State Park in Salisbury to investigate a report of vandalism. An undisclosed amount of damage was done to several facilities in the closed section of the park.
At the same time the next day troopers received a tip that the subjects had returned to the campsite and were continuing to burn park property. Police report that a dark green Pontiac with a pink magnet peace sign on the center of the front hood was seen in the area both nights; it bore Vermont license plates with the registration GAH 448.
Troopers report that when they arrived, someone snuck through the woods to their vehicle and left the scene before police could stop and speak with them.
Anyone who can identify the driver of such a car or assist in the location of the vehicle is asked to contact Trooper Armstrong at the VSP’s New Haven barracks at 802-388-4919. Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or by texting “CRIMES” (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.
In other recent activity, troopers:
•  On Oct. 18 were advised of a burglary of a FEMA property on Route 100 in Granville and are still pursuing leads.
•  On Oct. 21 received a report that someone had stolen pumpkins and broke into the cash box at a Munger Street farm stand in New Haven. A station wagon with a hatchback was seen on camera at the time of the theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Oct. 21 were informed of the theft of several heavy duty equipment batteries from a construction company in the town of New Haven. Investigation revealed that the suspects used a cordless Sawzall to remove the batteries from three trucks causing approximately $1,900 in damage. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact VSP.
• On Oct. 21 at 10:34 p.m. observed a motor vehicle violation, which led the trooper to stop the vehicle on Leicester Whiting Road in Whiting. Police ended up citing Peter Pfenning, 50, of Orwell for driving under the influence.
•  On Oct. 22 looked into a report of the theft of two gasoline cans (a 3-gallon and a 1-gallon red plastic can) from an unlocked and open garage in Weybridge. The homeowner also told police that he believes the same person may have gone into his unlocked residence and taken liquor from his liquor cabinet.
•  On Oct. 22 received a report that an unknown perpetrator had entered a garage off Boro Hill Road in Monkton sometime between Oct. 14 and 22 and stolen several items, including a Jonsered 2165 chainsaw, an Akron automotive diagnostic computer and an oxygen-acetylene tank, hose and torch set. There are no suspects in this case at this time. Anyone with information on this theft is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Oct. 24 at 7:30 a.m. were told of the theft of power tools from a farm located off Route 17 in New Haven. The victim reported that the theft occurred sometime early the morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Oct. 23 at approximately 5:30 a.m. responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle and male on Smead Road in Salisbury. This led police to Hans Rumble, 32, of Vergennes, whom they took into custody for outstanding warrants in Rutland. He was cited for possession of stolen property, violation of conditions of release, possession of heroin and possession of narcotics and was held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility for a lack of $30,000 bail. During the course of the investigation, including searches of his home and of a storage unit in Middlebury, troopers obtained additional information that indicated Rumble was involved in burglaries in Benson, Brandon and Addison County. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming for Rumble related to the recovery of stolen property. Anyone with information that may be helpful is asked to contact state police in New Haven at 802-388-4919. A complete story on this arrest appeared in Monday’s edition of the Addison Independent.
•  On Oct. 25 responded to the report of a car being driven the wrong way on Interstate 89 near exit 9. The car exited the Interstate at exit 9 and headed east on Route 2. State police located the vehicle at the intersection of State and Bailey streets in Montpelier. The trooper cited the driver, identified as 48-year-old Cindy Ouellette of Vergennes, for driving under the influence of alcohol and for careless and negligent driving.
•  On Oct. 25 at 4:35 p.m. were called to a family fight in Weybridge. Troopers took a 17-year-old into custody for domestic assault of a family member during an argument. During the investigation, family members advised the state police of liquor bottles in the teenager’s room. Troopers found the bottles and saw a sticker on one of the bottles indicating it was purchased at an overseas military exchange. Upon researching recent burglaries a victim in Weybridge was located and the victim identified the stolen bottles. Another item stolen in that burglary was a green jacket with family sentimental value, however, police didn’t recover any other stolen items. The 17-year-old was cited for domestic assault and possession of stolen property.
•  On Oct. 27 at 2:02 p.m. were called to investigate the vandalism of a 3-foot-by-5-foot window and casing at a home off Quaker Street in Ferrisburgh. Evidence and pry marks indicate someone was attempting to gain access to the basement at the residence. The estimated value to have the window replaced is approximately $500. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Oct. 27 received a report of the theft of a “Pandora” bracelet from a home off Route 7 in New Haven the previous day when the homeowner had had several workers from several companies in her home doing repairs. Police are investigating; anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Oct. 28 at 3:35 p.m. responded to a crash involving a school bus and a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Mark Benz, 78, of Lincoln. Police reported that Benz was turning left exiting his driveway on York Hill Road when his truck struck the left side of the bus, which was southbound on York Hill Road. Police said Benz told them he could not see the bus due to a hill obstructing his view to his right. There were 12 passengers on the school bus, and there were no injuries reported.
• On Oct. 28 at 6:57 p.m., following two complaints of erratic driving, stopped and cited Kevin Yost, 60, of Lincoln, for driving under the influence on Jim Dwire Road in Starksboro.