Police chase in Bennington leads to arrest

BENNINGTON — A 53-year-old man from Massachusetts was arrested following an incident in Bennington yesterday.

Police say they initiated a traffic stop on North Street at around 6:25 p.m.

A red Jeep Grand Cherokee ran through the stop light at approximately 60 miles-per-hour while traveling north.

Police activated their emergency blue lights and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop.

State Police caught up to the vehicle at the North Bennington exit on Route 279 and followed the vehicle as it pulled into the Home Depot parking lot.

The driver continued driving through the parking lot failing to stop.

Police say the driver was observed and identified as a middle-aged man with greying facial hair.

At this time, State Police turned off their emergency equipment due to the operator’s continued reckless driving.

At around 9:40 p.m., State Police were dispatched to a separate complaint in the Town of Pownal regarding a possible relief from abuse order violation.

Police say the vehicle involved in this incident was located at the Stewarts Shop in Pownal and identified as the same vehicle which failed to stop earlier in the evening.

The driver was identified as Louin P. Norton, of North Adams, MA.

Norton was placed under arrest and transported to the State Police barracks in Shaftsbury for processing.

At the conclusion of processing, Norton was issued a citation to appear in court on August 28 for the charges of negligent operation, attempting to elude, criminal DLS, and violation of abuse prevention order.