By Michael Bielawski,
There is a missing persons case up in Burlington where it is considered “very uncharacteristic” behavior for this person to be missing.
“The Burlington Police Department is investigating a Missing Person Case regarding 37-year-old Christopher Harper,” the BDP report states. “His family and associates report that he has not been seen or heard from since late November 2024.”
It continues that the disappearance is not consistent with his character.
“This is very uncharacteristic of Chris, as he normally contacts his family daily,” it states. “Chris has had ties to the Burlington area for the past year and a half and been in the Jeffersonville area for the 5 years prior to that. Chris is currently listed as a missing person.”
It continues that there are numerous flyers around town. It says that Chris “has brown/grey hair, blue eyes, and is 5’8.”
Deadly Danby fire may have investigation
According to an initial press release on Jan. 24, there was a fire that may have resulted in the death of an elderly man in Danby. It states “The Vermont State Police is investigating a fire that occurred Friday morning, Jan. 24, 2025, at a home on Old Otis Road in the Rutland County town of Danby.”
It continues that first responders located a body inside.
“The victim’s body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to confirm identity and determine the cause and manner of death.”
On Jan 28, it was updated that the victim is 81-year-old Charles Wrobel.
Although the release does not state that the fire was suspicious, it does say “Crews fighting the fire located a body within the home and requested a response from detectives with the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Fire and Explosion Investigation.”
Cases of arson as murder in Vermont are not unheard of. In Woodbury in 2018 there was a double murder involving arson of two properties.
Repeat offenders in Barre
The Barre Police Department did a public informational meeting on Jan. 13. Among their reports are concerns about “vandalism in City Hall Park”, “suspected drug use and activity”, “aggressive panhandling and harassment”, “Petty theft reported by City merchants”, and “open containers and smoking in city parks”.
They highlight some of the recent headlines. One from the Times Argus read “Barre Town officials join chorus complaining about increased crime, lack of accountability for offenders.”
Repeat offenders in particular were highlighted. The report states, “Individuals with 8 highest contacts accounted for 367 BCPD contacts in 2024 and 451 contacts with other agencies.”
It then adds, “Only 1 of these individuals is currently lodged by law enforcement.”
Jewelry stash in park
In other news bits, it’s been reported by State Police that there’s been a large stash of jewelry found in Shaftsbury’s Howard Park. It states, “Vermont State Police Shaftsbury were notified by a concerned citizen that a large amount of jewelry was located at Howard Park in Shaftsbury VT. The owner of the jewelry and/or the reason it was discarded is under investigation, and the jewelry is being held at VSP Shaftsbury.”
Snowmobile accident
A rider “crested over a knoll and struck a tree stump” in the Town of Morgan.
The report states, “[Gerald Dagesse, 46, of Morgan] sustained major, but believed to be non-life threatening injuries and was transported to North Country Hospital and was later flown to UVM.”
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle
Comments