On May 24, at about 11:30 p.m., Vermont State Police troopers conducted a motor vehicle stop on a 1999 Ford F-250 for several observed violations on Route 103 in Rockingham. During the course of the stop, probable cause of criminal activity was developed and the vehicle was subsequently seized while troopers applied for a search warrant. The operator, Scott Chandler, 45, of Pittsford and a female passenger were released from the scene.
On May 26, between 12:10 and 1:30 a.m., troopers were alerted to two suspicious persons observed driving up to and moving around the Westminster Barracks perimeter fences. Troopers attempted to make contact with the individuals seen on motorcycles but they were gone upon arrival. An unoccupied motorcycle was located on a dirt road adjacent to the barracks. A second motorcycle was observed nearby that immediately accelerated away from the area.
Troopers attempted to catch up to the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop, but prior to activating their emergency lights, the operator crashed on Route 5 in Westminster, near the Big Red Barn. The operator of the motorcycle was traveling in excess of 70 mph prior to crashing. The operator was identified as Scott Chandler, the operator of the seized truck from the day prior.
Chandler was transported to Springfield ER and later flown via DHART to DHMC where his condition is currently stable. The circumstances surrounding the suspicious actions at the barracks as well as the events leading up to and involving the crash are currently under investigation.
During the afternoon of May 26, troopers executed a search warrant on Chandler’s vehicle, which was being stored at the Westminster Barracks. Troopers located the following items: 600 glassine bags of fentanyl (approximately 12 grams), 21.5 grams of crack cocaine, 15 grams of powder cocaine, and various items of drug paraphernalia. Chandler was issued a citation via his attorney and is ordered to appear in court on June 1.
