NEWPORT — Two men face felony charges following an alleged armed confrontation in Lowell that authorities say involved accusations of gun theft and threats with a firearm.
Patrick DeBonville, 30, of Island Pond was ordered held without bail by Judge Rory Thibault after pleading not guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful mischief, reckless endangerment, and illegal firearm possession by a violent felon.
Jason R. Metras, 47, of Barton received $10,000 bail after pleading not guilty to accessory charges in aggravated assault and unlawful mischief, plus criminal threatening.
According to Vermont State Police Trooper James Gallup’s affidavit, the incident began around 12:42 p.m. on June 11 when a woman called 911 reporting people were hitting her car with an ax and falsely accusing her of theft at a Tenakee Road residence.
Witnesses told investigators that Metras, DeBonville, and an unidentified woman arrived demanding return of an allegedly stolen shotgun. When denied, the group reportedly left but returned to escalate the confrontation.
The father of one resident told police DeBonville pressed a gun barrel against his head while threatening him. A son at the residence described the weapon as an older .22 caliber Ruger semiautomatic pistol resembling a World War II German model.
“The pistol is loaded and the safety is off,” DeBonville allegedly warned, ordering the man to remain still.
During the confrontation, car windows were reportedly smashed and threats were made before the trio fled. Officers later stopped their vehicle at Routes 100 and 14 in Newport Center.
A .22 caliber Ruger pistol was subsequently found on Loop Road, approximately 500 feet from where officers first spotted the suspects’ vehicle.
Both defendants denied involvement during questioning, with Metras claiming he remained in his car and DeBonville saying he only smoked cigarettes during the incident.
