NEWPORT, VERMONT — Chief Travis R. Bingham reports that the Newport Police Department has arrested a resident in connection with thefts at a hotel and a local business.
MICHAEL CORNELL, AGE 33, OF NEWPORT, was arrested and charged with Robbery and Burglary.
On Thursday, Dec. 17, at about 11 p.m, Newport Police responded to a report of a robbery at the Newport Inn and Suites at 444 East Main St. Responding officers were told a man had approached an employee, demanded cash and claimed he had a gun, but did not show a weapon. The suspect left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
During a subsequent investigation, officers determined that minutes before the robbery occurred, a person called the hotel to ask whether it accepted cash payments or could provide change.
On Friday, Jan. 15, Newport Police responded to a report of a break-in at Pure PC Repair, 96 Western Ave. Officers investigating that incident determined that the suspect took an undetermined amount of cash.
Following the review of surveillance footage and an anonymous tip, Newport Police identified CORNELL as a possible suspect and interviewed him as part of their investigation last week. CORNELL later called Newport police and allegedly confessed to the Pure PC Repair break-in.
Newport Police determined that the phone number CORNELL used to call the department matched the number of the caller in the Newport Inn and Suites robbery, leading to the additional charge. Newport Police K-9 Track also contributed to the investigation.
“I appreciate the efforts by all of the officers who have diligently pursued a resolution to these incidents in the weeks since they occurred,” Chief Bingham said.
CORNELL was lodged on $10,000 bail and will be arraigned tomorrow in Orleans District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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