Chester Police log for March 6 through April 28, 2014

Editor’s Note: The Chester Telegraph Police Log is a sampling of incidents directly from Chester Police reports. We do not identify individual victims of crimes nor those who have been arrested.

Thursday, March 6

A Weston woman was charged with three counts of petty larceny and three counts of retail theft from Mitch’s Maples on Green Mountain Turnpike in Chester. According to a police report, on three occasions — Sept. 17, 2013 and Feb. 25 and March 4, 2014 — she was recorded entering the business, which is run on the honor system, and taking syrup, candies and cash from the money box. Police determined that although the woman drove two different cars in the first and third incident, her tattoo was visible in both.

Sunday, March 16, 8:51 p.m.

Police responded to a report of a man who said he had been threatened with a firearm at a home off the Green in Chester. The man reported that when he went to notify the tenant of an apartment that he was being asked to pay months of back rent and vacate the apartment, the tenant answered the door with a handgun in his hand and held to his side.

The man also told police that after he handed the tenant the notice, the tenant said, “You come back again and I’ll shoot you.”

In speaking with the tenant, he admitted to holding the gun but not raising it. He said he held the gun because the knock on the door from the man was so aggressive and so late in the evening. Police advised the tenant that a more appropriate reaction could result in fewer issues being raised. The tenant then asked police to apologize to the man.

Sunday, March 30, between 8:32 and 9:40 a.m.

Police responded to two calls of roadways being flooded and washed out — at Wymans Falls Road and Snell Road.

Sunday, March 30, 2:20 p.m.

A resident of Route 103 called police to report that a strange looking man was setting up a camp across the street. Police found the subject with a shopping cart and many other items strewn about the camping area. The man stated that he was homeless and was on his way to Rutland for a visit to family. The man was asked to move on after he admitted to not having permission to camp on the land.

Friday, April 18, 9:08 a.m.

A resident along Mattson Road called police to complain of a tractor parked in the road for two days. The complainant was very agitated and was yelling. The officer found it difficult to talk with her. But he finished up his work and headed to the site. Then dispatch called with another complainant, the husband of the woman who had called earlier. He too was very upset. The officer pulled over to speak with him and he too was yelling. Upon the officer’s arrival at the tractor, he observed that the tractor was just barely in the travel lane and was not blocking traffic. The owner of the tractor said it had only been there since the night before. At the officer’s request, he pulled it farther onto the side of the road.

Friday, April 18, 1:38 p.m.

Two dogs were running on Route 103 south and South Main Street causing many traffic problems. Attempts to catch the dogs failed. But later it was discovered that they belonged to a nearby resident and had returned home.

Saturday, April 19, 1:49 p.m.

A property owner off of the Springfield Road reported to police that someone had shot up his gate and his posted signs.

Saturday, April 19, 10:57 p.m.

Police responded to a report of a possible illegal burn along Snell Road, to which the Fire Department also was being dispatched. Upon arrival, about 20 people were spotted around a bonfire and the resident stated that he had gotten married that day and this was his wedding party. He and his wife both stated that they had meant to get a permit but that with all that was happening that day, they forgot.

Some “illegal to burn” substances were found in the pile and a written warning was issued. The fire call was canceled since the fire was in a safe location.

Tuesday, April 22, 7:29 p.m.

Police responded to a 911 hangup on Green Mountain Turnpike. Upon arrival, police saw that a window was broken and there was glass on the front porch. The officer asked the father and son present what had happened and the father stated that the son was trying to leave and the father tried to stop him by grabbing him, the son lurched forward and went through the window. A fresh cut that had been bandaged was observed on his forearm. Neither party wanted to report an assault. Police then transported the son to a relative’s home for the evening.

Wednesday, April 23, 8:53 a.m.

Someone called to complain of burning during a high danger time. Fire Warden Jeff Holden had issued a permit the night before for the burn at a residence at Vermont Route 10 on the condition that it rained, which was in the forecast. However, it didn’t rain and there were high winds. Police responded and asked the residents to extinguish the burn until more favorable conditions. The officer was then verbally attacked by one man, who is known to the police from previous encounters as “being very agitated and not liking all Chester employees.” He continued that he believed police were following him and harassing him. After some time, police recommended that he calm down.

Thursday, April 24, 10:26 a.m.

A woman called to say that she had locked herself out of her son’s home, and he is away. Officer is familiar with the situation and helped the woman gain entry to the home.

Friday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.

Police and fire were dispatched to an intersection near Route 11 west and Andover Road for the report of a burn during a high risk day. The owner was tending the fire, had properly raked all around it and had a hose and tractor nearby. The owner began to put out the fire when the fire department arrived and finished the job. The owner was issued a warning.

Saturday, April 26, 9:36 a.m.

A Husky dog was running loose on Route 35. Owner was found to live on the Grafton Road but were not at home. Neighbors volunteered to take the dog in.

Saturday, April 26, 1:44 p.m.

Police responded to a one-car accident on Vermont Route 103 South where the vehicle had gone over a small embankment and was partially on its side resting on the bank. The driver was bleeding from a cut on her ear. She stated that she was tired and should have pulled over to rest but she had fallen asleep and woke up to the crash. This was confirmed by a witness who saw the car drift across the line. The driver’s daughter arrived to look after her mother. Both side airbags were deployed and the car had to be towed.

Monday, April 28, 4:29 p.m.

A Chester resident thought someone had stolen his dog, which remains loose on his property but tends to confine itself to the porch area. Police could not find the dog . However, the resident called the next day to state that he found the dog locked in the hoop house.

Monday, April 28, 6:01 p.m.

Police responded to a complaint of loud music from an apartment on Pleasant Street. Police say they have received other complaints about the same person playing her music loudly. Without even knowing the exact address of the person, police were able to locate the correct apartment. Police then asked the occupant to turn her music down since neighbors were complaining and it was interrupting their way of life.

The occupant responded that management had said that since she was playing it during the day, it could be loud. The police responded that if she didn’t turn it down, she would be charged with disorderly conduct. The occupant then became angry and stated that she wanted to file a complaint against all the neighbors for shutting their doors too loudly and would visit Chief Rick Cloud to file a complaint against the officer as well. The officer advised her of the chief’s office hours and encouraged her action. The officer again told her to turn the music down then turned to leave, at which point the occupant slammed the door loudly.