NEWS

Police records sought for ferries, bridges

Mike Donoghue
Free Press Staff Writer

Vermont State Police say it will be early next week before they know which troopers were delegated to cover ferry docks and bridges along Lake Champlain following the escape of two convicted killers from a maximum security prison near Plattsburgh, N.Y.

There have been conflicting reports since the weekend breakout at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. about when Vermont state troopers were assigned to the case and to be on watch at the entry points into the Green Mountain state.

The Burlington Free Press asked Wednesday for the names of the troopers assigned to each ferry crossing and bridge on Saturday. The paper also asked for the start and finish time each trooper entered on the daily state police log, which is a public record both under state law and department policy.

Vermont State Police spokesman Scott Waterman said the department was considering the questions as a public records request. That would allow state police up to 10 days before having to answer.

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Vermont State Police statement on Friday at 3:33 p.m.

The main operating ferry docks on the Vermont side were in Grand Isle and in Charlotte. The bridges are in Alburgh and Addison.

Waterman told the Free Press on Sunday that there was no evidence the killers fled to Vermont.

New York State Police search vehicles headed to Vermont at the Essex, New York, ferry terminal Tuesday.

"Vermont State Police is monitoring bridges that connect Vermont, and New York and have a heightened awareness as all Vermont law enforcement does," he said.

"Our Tactical Support Unit is on standby in St. Albans if we are needed or called for. We are looking out for these guys on our side of the lake," Waterman said.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Col. Tom L'Esperance, director of the Vermont State Police, said when he was alerted to the escape Saturday morning his department jumped into action.

"Immediately we deployed troopers up to Grand Isle and down to Charlotte patrolling those ferry areas."

He also said the tactical team was deployed to the Champlain Islands.

Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, were reported missing from adjacent cells about 5:30 a.m. Saturday during a bedcheck at prison about 20 miles south of the Canadian border.

New York and Vermont officials said Wednesday the investigation into the escape uncovered one plan to flee to Vermont.

Officials said Friday reiterated there is no evidence that they ever arrived in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont State Police Field Force Commander Major Walt Goodell said, "While we currently have no information to suggest that the escapees are in Vermont, we continue to ask all Vermonters to remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious behavior via 911."

Police continue to reach out to residents in communities along Lake Champlain, including going door-to-door with flyers and using what the department calls "saturation patrols."

Vermonters are urged to call 911 if they see anything unusual, including break-ins at seasonal camps or nighttime lights in unexpected places.

Vermont State Police have followed up on 28 tips that came through 911, all ending in false sightings or events unconnected to the escape.

One arrest was reported. Police say a Waterbury man, who claimed his girl friend had allowed the two escapees to stay in her basement, is facing criminal charges.

Richard Baldwin, 49, is due in Vermont Superior Court in Barre on July 16 on a charge of false information to police.

Baldwin called police about 6:30 p.m. Thursday to report that his girlfriend, Ellen Hater, told him that she allowed the two fugitive killers to sleep in the basement of their apartment in Waterbury Village.

Waterbury and state police responded to the residence to speak with both Baldwin and Hater.

Baldwin was arrested for providing false reports to law enforcement, police said.

He was lodged at the Barre City Police Department.

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Contact Mike Donoghue at 660-1845 or mdonoghue@freepressmedia.com Follow Mike on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FreepsMikeD.