Police: Man broke into evidence room, stole handguns, drugs

Caledonian Record, WPTZ-TV News Channel 5, wptz.com

Newport City, VT

Empty evidence bags found at Newport City residence by parole officers


Vermont State Police say 19-year-old Mikeal Rivers of Troy broke into Newport City Police Department's evidence room on Feb. 8, 2015 and stole bags of evidence containing handguns and drugs. Rivers was arrested and charged with burglary, possession of narcotics, obstruction of justice and grand larceny.

NEWPORT, Vt. — A northern Vermont man is accused of breaking into a police station's evidence room, and stealing evidence bags containing two handguns and 52 bags of heroin.

Vermont State Police said Sunday night Newport City police were notified by probation and parole officers that they discovered numerous empty evidence bags inside a Newport City residence. The bags, according to the probation and parole officers, were marked with Newport City police case numbers.

According to the Vermont State Police investigation, Newport City officers returned to the station and found the department's secured evidence room had been broken into. The burglar gained entry by breaking a window in the room's door.

Vermont State Police said as Newport City officers responded to the residence, they came across 19-year-old Mikael Rivers, of Troy, who was walking along Main Street. Vermont State Police say Rivers, a suspect in an earlier incident, attempted to run away, but was apprehended. At the time of his apprehension, Vermont State Police say Rivers was allegedly in possession of the stolen evidence.

Police said Rivers was identified from footage from the municipal building surveillance cameras.

The Newport City Police Department is taking inventory of the evidence room and its contents to determine what was stolen.

The police station is on the first floor of the municipal building; the evidence storage room is in the basement.

The Caledonian Record reports Rivers was being held for lack of $25,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty to burglary, obstructing justice, and other charges.

Detectives with the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and members of the Orleans County Sheriff's Department are assisting with the investigation.

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