NEWPORT — Chief Travis Bingham reports that the Newport Police Department, in collaboration with the Northern Vermont Drug Force Task Force, has arrested two men and is seeking a third following an attempted traffic stop.
The Newport Police Department is searching for DAKOTA MERRILL, AGE 22, OF DERBY, who is wanted for:
- Eluding a Police Officer
- Gross Negligent Operation
- Excessive Speed
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Unlawful Restraint in the First Degree
ROMELLO APPLETON, AGE 25, OF SPRINGFIELD, MA, was arrested on a federal warrant following a joint investigation by the Vermont Drug Task Force and its Federal Partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
JACOB ROY, AGE 26, OF DERBY, was arrested for violating the conditions of his parole.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, Newport Officers assisting in an ongoing investigation by the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force, located APPLETON, the target of the investigation. Officers observed APPLETON enter a vehicle driven by a person believed to be MERRILL. The vehicle was observed taking a right from Prospect Street to Third Street.
Officers followed the vehicle from Third Street to Main Street, where they activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The driver allegedlyfailed to stop for police and a pursuit ensued at speeds exceeding the posted limit.
During the pursuit, the driver allegedly side-swiped another vehicle at the intersection of Routes 14 and 59 in Irasburg and continued to flee.
The vehicle eventually crashed into a ditch on River Road in Coventry. APPLETON, MERRILL and another suspect — later identified as ROY — allegedly fled from the car on foot into the woods.
Following the crash, police located a fourth passenger still in the vehicle, who reported she repeatedly advised MERRILL that she wanted to be let out during the pursuit, but he allegedly refused.
APPLETON and ROY were located with the help of Newport Police Department’s K9 Unit approximately 30 minutes after the crash and were placed under arrest by Newport Police and Vermont State Police. Both were transported to the State Police Barracks in Derby.
Officers were unable to locate MERRILL. Anyone with information about MERRILL‘s whereabouts is asked to call the Newport Police at 802-334-6733.
Northern Vermont Drug Task Force and Newport Police received assistance from the Vermont State Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department during the investigation.
The incident remains under investigation by the Newport Police Department.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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