WOODSTOCK—
posted
May 23, 2012
On May 16, at approximately 11:07 p.m., the Vermont State Police
was notified that the Lebanon, NH Police had been involved in a
pursuit of a 1996 Toyota Camry, registered to William Verboncoeur,
age 54, of Windsor, Vt. It was reported that said vehicle got onto
Interstate 89 from Lebanon, NH and began traveling northbound in
the southbound lane. Just prior to this, the Windsor, Vt. Police
attempted to conduct a traffic stop on said vehicle for speeding at
which time the vehicle failed to stop and proceeded over the
covered bridge in Windsor into Cornish, NH. Windsor Police followed
said vehicle until Lebanon officer's located the vehicle on Rt.
12A.
Officer's lost sight with the vehicle on I-89 in the area of mile
marker 2. It was also reported to VSP that the operator,
Verboncoeu, may be suicidal and may be attempting "suicide by
cop".
State Police located said vehicle traveling north on
Quechee/Hartland Road in Quechee. State Police attempted to
initiate a traffic stop on said vehicle at which time the vehicle
failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
State Police pursued said vehicle several miles traveling westbound
on US Route 4 through Quechee and into Woodstock. Speeds reached up
to 70 MPH and Verboncoeur was operating in an erratic manner. The
Woodstock Police were able to deploy a tire deflating device as the
vehicle entered Woodstock Village. Both front tires were deflated
and Verboncoeur brought his vehicle to a stop on US Route 4 in
front of the Woodstock Hardware Store.
Verboncoeur quickly exited his vehicle and began walking towards
the trooper saying "Shoot me!" Verboncoeur was subdued by the
trooper with an electronic control device (Taser) and was taken
into custody without further incident.
At the scene, Verboncoeur stated that he wanted to die and wanted
the trooper to shoot him. No weapsons were located on Verboncoeur's
person or inside his vehicle. Members from the Hartford Police
Department also assisted on at the scene.
Verboncoeur was transported to the Royalton Barracks for processing
and was also screened by the Clara Martin Center without incident.
It was also determined that Verboncoeur had active conditions of
release from two criminal cases out of the Windsor County Superior
Court Criminal Division. Verboncoeur is also facing criminal
charges from the Windsor Police Department including negligent
operation, attempting to elude and excessive speed.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash or surety and Verboncoeur was lodged
at the Southern State Correctional Facility without further
incident.
Tagged:
woodstock, police chase
