NEWPORT, VERMONT — Chief Travis R. Bingham reports that the Newport Police Department has charged a West Charleston man who allegedly assaulted two police officers who attempted to arrest him on an existing warrant, while two other men were taken into custody by Vermont State Police on existing warrants.
DANIEL MARTIN, AGE 25, OF WEST CHARLESTON, has been charged with:
- Assault of a Protected Professional (two counts)
- Resisting Arrest
- Escape Attempted
- Attempted Operating without Owner’s Consent
Additionally, MARTIN had a warrant for his arrest from the Department of Corrections.
At about 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, a Newport Police officer initiated an unrelated wellness check at a residence on Third Street. While leaving that home the responding officer heard loud arguing from a nearby apartment and investigated.
During the investigation, the officer determined that two people in the apartment, DANE CROSS, AGE 36, OF WEST CHARLESTON, and DONALD POULIN, AGE 47, OF DERBY, were wanted on outstanding warrants. CROSS previously had been charged with burglary. POULIN previously had been charged with Failure to Appear on a charge of Driving with License Suspended.
The officer subsequently determined that a third person in the apartment, MARTIN, also had a warrant for his arrest. MARTIN is facing charges including Burglary, Resisting Arrest, Transportation of Marijuana into a Detention Center, Cocaine Possession, False Reports to Law Enforcement, and two counts of Escape Attempted.
MARTIN resisted an officer’s attempts to take him into custody and fled the scene on foot. MARTIN ran down Third Street, where he encountered a Newport Police Sergeant, who attempted to detain him. MARTIN clawed at the Sergeant’s face and attempted to gouge his right eye. MARTIN was eventually detained when the Sergeant utilized a stun gun to subdue him.
Newport Police were later assisted on scene by the Vermont State Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, which helped take POULIN and CROSS into custody on their warrants.
As a result of the incident, two Newport officers were treated for minor injuries at North Country Hospital.
“Our officers showed bravery in the face of an unpredictable situation, and I’m grateful that their injuries were not more serious given the danger they faced,” Chief Bingham said.
MARTIN was transported to Northeastern State Correctional Facility. MARTIN is scheduled for arraignment on Friday in Orleans District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.