MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury police — with assistance from two other law enforcement agencies and the Middlebury Fire Department — found a 91-year-old man who had gone missing from the East Main Street area on Sunday, Oct. 14.
Police said the man had gone for a walk early that afternoon and had not returned to take his customary dose of medication, according to police.
Middlebury authorities initially scouted for the missing man — identified as Chester Bodette — using a tracking dog assigned to the Rutland Police Department. When that dog couldn’t pick up Bodette’s trail, Middlebury officials brought in local firefighters and members of the state’s search-and-rescue team to help out. Those helpers brought along additional search dogs.
Thanks to their combined efforts, the searchers found Bodette shortly after midnight at the southern end of Grist Mill Road, according to information provided by Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley.
Bodette was described by authorities as being in a “confused” and “hypothermic” when found.
Police said Bodette was taken to Porter Hospital to be treated for some minor scrapes, scratches and for his lengthy exposure to the elements.
In other action last week, Middlebury police:
•  Investigated what police described as a “suspicious bottle” that a student had brought home from his school on Oct. 8.  Police said the case is still under investigation.
•  Were informed of the theft of an unspecified number of hemp plants on Oct. 8 from a field off Dow Farm Lane. Police issued a reminder that hemp plants have no THC, the chemical present in marijuana that causes the “high” if smoked or ingested.
•  Warned a man found urinating on the side of a building off MacIntyre Lane.
•  Received a report of a plant being stolen from a South Street Extension residence on Oct. 8.
•  Investigated an illegal dumping complaint in the Washington Street area on Oct. 8.
•  Responded to a two-vehicle accident, with minor injuries resulting, on North Pleasant Street on Oct. 8. Police said they believe the accident occurred due to one of the drivers experiencing a “medical event.”
•  Received a noise complaint about “construction” noise in the Bakery Lane area at 11 p.m. on Oct. 9. Police said a pressure washing company was working on Mister Ups restaurant.
•  Assisted at the scene of a traffic hazard near the intersection of Exchange Street and Route 7 North on Oct. 9. Police said a tank had fallen from a trailer into the road.
•  Responded to a report of a disabled vehicle on North Pleasant Street on Oct. 9. Police said someone had removed lug nuts on two of the tires, which had fallen off.
•  Responded to a report of a man having a mental health episode and threatening people in the Munson Road area on Oct. 9. Police said the man was taken to Porter Hospital for evaluation.
•  Received another report of a man having mental health problems, this one in the Maple Court area on Oct. 9.
•  Were informed of the theft of an unspecified amount of money from the Champlain Farms store on Court Street on Oct. 10. The matter remains under investigation.
•  Responded to a report of a seemingly disoriented elderly woman in the Swanage Court area on Oct. 11. Police said a family member was taking care of the woman when they arrived.
•  Assisted Middlebury firefighters at the scene of a carbon monoxide alarm at the Otterside Court apartments on Oct. 11.
•  Responded to a two-vehicle accident, with no injuries, at the intersection of Route 7 and Halladay Road on Oct. 11.
•  Received a report about an Addison County Transit Resources bus striking and slightly injuring a pedestrian on Main Street on Oct. 11.
•  Were informed of a possible burglary at a Woodland Park home on Oct. 12. Police said it turned out a family member returned home earlier that day.
•  Responded to a report of a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident on Oct. 12.
•  Were informed of the theft of a computer from an unlocked vehicle parked in the Hannaford supermarket parking lot on Oct. 12.
•  Received a report about a youth sleeping in front of the town recreation facility off Creek Road on Oct. 12. Police said the person was homeless and trying to keep out of the wind while waiting for a nearby human services agency to open.
•  Responded to a report of a woman having a “medical issue” in the Route 7 South area on Oct. 13. Police said the woman was taken to Porter Hospital.
•  Assisted the Counseling Service of Addison County in helping a local woman dealing with a mental health issue on Oct. 14.
•  Got mental health counseling for a woman who had reported hearing voices outside of her home in the Cedar Court area at around 12:15 a.m. on Oct. 15.
•  Responded to a report of two Mary Hogan Elementary students getting into a fight after school on Oct. 10.
•  Assisted the Vermont Department for Children & Families with a child custody issue in the South Village Green neighborhood on Oct. 10.
•  Received a report about a Middlebury Union Middle School walking away from classes on Oct. 10. Police said the student returned.
•  Responded to a report of patient leaving Porter Hospital against court order on Oct. 10.