PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE #1
CASE #: 21SJ004527
OFFICER: Gerald Schartner II
CONTACT NUMBER: 802-748-2314
DATE/TIME: 12-06-21 at approximately 1643 hours
LOCATION: Numerous locations within the Village of St Johnsbury, VT
VIOLATION: Multiple acts of Vandalism/Unlawful Mischief
ACCUSED: Micael Bizuneh
AGE: 33
CITY/STATE OF RESIDENCE: Homeless, Middlebury, VT
LOCATION: Numerous locations within the Village of St Johnsbury, VT
VIOLATION: Multiple acts of Vandalism/Unlawful Mischief
ACCUSED: Micael Bizuneh
AGE: 33
CITY/STATE OF RESIDENCE: Homeless, Middlebury, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 12-06-2021 at approximately 1643 hours the St Johnsbury Police Department began receiving complaints from victims within the village who had their vehicles vandalized. These acts consisted of vehicles that were "keyed" along with some that had large rocks/boulders thrown at or through there windshield. During the course of the next several days a steady flow of these type of complaints began to cycle through our dispatch center. As of early morning on 12-09-21 the number of vehicles that had been vandalized within the village had grown to approximately 42.
With the aid of video surveillance from a couple different locations within the village the St Johnsbury PD was able to determine that all of these acts were committed by the same individual. During the course of this investigation Ofc. Gerald Schartner and Lt Mark Bickford were able to locate the offender who was being housed at the Fairbanks Inn. The offender Micael Bizuneh, DOB: 10-17-88 was subsequently taken into custody without incident at that location.
Bizuneh while at the PD admitted to doing these heinous acts of vandalism within the village but stated that he had no control over his actions and that he had been compelled to do so. Bizuneh is awaiting an arraignments on these acts which is scheduled for 12-13-21 at 1230 hours in Caledonia County.
UPDATE: Bizuneh has subsequently been ordered lodged on $1000 bail, and is scheduled to appear in Caledonia Superior Court on Monday, December 13th to answer to for 9 counts of Unlawful Mischief-Felony. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be forthcoming.
All inquires should be directed to Officer Gerald Schartner II at gschartner@stjvt.com.
On 12-06-2021 at approximately 1643 hours the St Johnsbury Police Department began receiving complaints from victims within the village who had their vehicles vandalized. These acts consisted of vehicles that were "keyed" along with some that had large rocks/boulders thrown at or through there windshield. During the course of the next several days a steady flow of these type of complaints began to cycle through our dispatch center. As of early morning on 12-09-21 the number of vehicles that had been vandalized within the village had grown to approximately 42.
With the aid of video surveillance from a couple different locations within the village the St Johnsbury PD was able to determine that all of these acts were committed by the same individual. During the course of this investigation Ofc. Gerald Schartner and Lt Mark Bickford were able to locate the offender who was being housed at the Fairbanks Inn. The offender Micael Bizuneh, DOB: 10-17-88 was subsequently taken into custody without incident at that location.
Bizuneh while at the PD admitted to doing these heinous acts of vandalism within the village but stated that he had no control over his actions and that he had been compelled to do so. Bizuneh is awaiting an arraignments on these acts which is scheduled for 12-13-21 at 1230 hours in Caledonia County.
UPDATE: Bizuneh has subsequently been ordered lodged on $1000 bail, and is scheduled to appear in Caledonia Superior Court on Monday, December 13th to answer to for 9 counts of Unlawful Mischief-Felony. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be forthcoming.
All inquires should be directed to Officer Gerald Schartner II at gschartner@stjvt.com.
