Police identify suspect that stole cruiser, rifle

The Vermont State Police identified the suspect that stole a Vermont State Police cruiser and patrol rifle as Timothy Gabriel, 29, whose most recent addresses were in Burlington and Rutland.

Members of the Vermont State Police located Gabriel walking on Cherry Street in Burlington on Wednesday, Oct. 18 around 4:30 p.m. He ignored commands directing him to surrender and had to be subdued by troopers. The stolen patrol rifle, which was in the vehicle, remains unaccounted for, and the VSP investigation into this incident is continuing.

The Vermont State Police has worked closely on this investigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Gabriel initially is expected to face a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the theft of the patrol rifle. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Burlington is expected to be held Thursday afternoon.

Police said the cruiser was stolen from outside a residence in Rutland City between 2 a.m. and 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. The cruiser was subsequently located elsewhere in Rutland City, but the Sig Sauer patrol rifle that had been secured in the vehicle had been forcibly removed. The circumstances of the vehicle theft are under active investigation.

Surveillance video in the area captured images of the suspect carrying the rifle. 

VSP  is working in collaboration with the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office on this ongoing investigation, and additional charges are possible.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the theft of the police cruiser, which was assigned to Cpl. Christopher Loyzelle of the Rutland Barracks.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Rutland Barracks at 802-773-9101 or provide an anonymous tip online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

The state police will continue providing updates on this case as the investigation unfolds.