Submitted
Bryce Smith-Wallett
Locals help police track down thief who broke into two vehicles at Brewer’s Corners
MENDON — On Nov. 14 at approximately 1:38 p.m., the Vermont State Police responded to Wheelerville Road in the town of Mendon, Vt., after a concerned citizen observed a man throw a rock through a window of a vehicle and steal a purse in the parking lot at Brewer’s Corners. A brief description of a suspect vehicle was provided to 911 by the witness.
While responding to the scene, hikers walking along Wheelerville Road provided a further description of the suspect vehicle which was broadcasted to area law enforcement.
Another concerned citizen came into contact with the suspect vehicle and followed it on Route 4 into Killington, Vt. This concerned citizen assisted the Vermont State Police with updates as to the vehicle’s path of travel from Wheelerville Road. The vehicle, a white Ford F-150, was located and stopped on the Killington Access Road by state police.
A subsequent investigation found that 23-year-old Bryce Smith-Wallett of Rutland, Vt., had heaved rocks through two vehicles’ windows at Brewer’s Corners and stolen, among other items, a tote bag and purse. An iPhone belonging to one of the victim’s was later located shoved between the seats of the truck. Glass from the victim’s windows was also found in the truck.
Smith-Wallett was taken into custody and processed at the Rutland Barracks.
The two victims were later identified as Adam Frankel, age 31 from Boston, Mass., and Suzanne Lee, age 37 from Hanover, N.H.
Smith Wallett, who ultimately cooperated with the state police, accompanied troopers back to the scene where the tote bag was recovered. The purse was not recovered, however, and it is believed it was picked up by an unknown person or persons along the roadway. The state police are asking anyone who was in the area on Nov. 14, who may have located this purse along Wheelerville Road, to contact the state police, so it can be returned to its rightful owner.
Smith Wallett was charged with the following: two counts of Unlawful Mischief; two counts of Larceny; and False Information to Law Enforcement.
This case remains an active investigation, and further charges may be pending.
