Fatal house fire
On April 13 at about 4 a.m. the Vermont State Police responded to a house fire at 35 West Street in Middletown Springs. Upon arrival troopers discovered an occupant deceased inside the building, which was completely destroyed. She was later identified by family members as Leslie Caceres, 69, who lived alone in the house. Although the cause of the fire did not initially appear suspicious, the investigation is ongoing.
Thief caught, police urge community cooperation
Beginning April 10, 2016, Vermont State Police troopers from the Rutland Barracks began investigating a series of thefts of property from three residences in Rutland Town, Mendon and Pittsford. Items taken included kayaks, canoes, video game consoles, computers and tools. Many of the stolen items were recovered and returned to their owners, and Trevor J. Polcaro, 25, was taken into custody on April 12, fingerprinted, photographed and released on a citation to appear at Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division on April 13 to face charges of Petit Larceny.
As a result of this investigation, the Vermont State Police obtained information about several additional thefts in the Rutland area. Anyone who has been the victim of a theft of a kayak or aluminum extension ladder in late 2015 or in 2016 and has not reported that theft to the police is asked to contact their local police to report the theft.
Trooper, RRMC nurse assaulted
On April 13, 2016, around midnight, Vermont State Police Trooper Patrick Slaney was on duty at Denny’s Restaurant on South Main Street, when he checked on the welfare of a young woman, later identified as Ashleigh Gursky, 18, who had fallen in the parking lot of the restaurant, and found her intoxicated. While attempting to assist her, she advanced on Trooper Slaney with a knife. Trooper Slaney unholstered his Taser and ordered Gursky to drop the knife, but she continued to move toward him. Trooper Slaney maintained his distance while radioing for assistance, but Gursky continued to approach him with the knife.
Trooper Slaney deployed his Taser, making Gursky to fall and drop the knife. Rutland City Police officers arrived and assisted Trooper Slaney in taking Gursky into custody.
Gursky was later transported to the Rutland Regional Medical Center to be evaluated. While at the hospital, Gursky assaulted a nurse by spitting on her. Gursky was turned over to the Vermont Department of Corrections after bail of $5,000 and conditions of release were set by the court.