Author: WNTK News

The Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Department have released an update on the man found dead in the Mascoma River on Tuesday morning.

The man in question has been determined to be Michael R Edwards, age 49. Edwards appeared to have been homeless at the time of his death.

The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Concord, NH determined that the death does not seem to be suspicious, and that Edwards drowned in the river near 7 Foundry Street.

A final determination on the death will be made once toxicology results are received. 

According to the Eagle Times, Alan Wirkkala may still stand trial in October on at least one felony count of sexual assault charges after a jury’s split decisions last Friday.

The alleged assaults committed by Wirkkala took place between 1985 and 1987, then from 1987 to 1991, and involved an alleged victim between the ages of 5 and 12. On August 9, 2019, a 14 person jury at superior court found him not guilty. The group submitted two split decisions following the two day trial. A judge also dismissed three counts of felonious sexual assault based of language discrepancies.

The Newport,  man has remained in jail without bail since his arrest last September.

Allegedly, Wirkkala faces at least 20 counts of felonious sexual assault against four children from the 80’s and 90’s. This new trial can occur because under NH law, charges that result in a hung jury can be brought forward for a new trial later on. 

The Lebanon Police Department recovered a deceased male from the Mascoma River early Tuesday morning, they have reported via release.

At approximately 9 AM on August 13, 2019, the PD received a call stating that an adult, white, male appeared to be dead in the Mascoma River around 7 Foundry Street. Police and Fire units responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of a dead male.

Around 11 AM, the Lebanon Fire Department were able to retrieve the man. Detectives and Police Officers were able to positively identify the suspect as a 49-year-old Lebanon man. The body has been transferred to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Concord, NH for an autopsy.

An investigation into the happening is in progress at this time, and no identity will be released until next of kin are notified. 

A Bellows Falls, Vermont woman was arrested late Monday night in Putney, states a release.

At approximately 11:19 on Monday, August 11, 2019, the Vermont State Police were alerted to a suspicious female walking on Route 5 in Putney, Vermont. The woman was located by police in Westminster, VT.

Investigation into the matter indicated that the woman, 46 year old Tanya Gagne, was breaking conditions not to possess or consume alcohol. Gagne admitted to this fact.

She was transported to the Westminster Barracks where she was processed and released with a citation to appear in court on September 24th, 2019 to face the charge of Violation of Conditions of Release. 

A Bethel, Vermont man was arrested for a DUI early Sunday morning, states a press release.

Trooper Adam Roaldi of the Royalton State Police Barracks pulled over a vehicle just past midnight on August 11, 2019 after witnessing multiple motor vehicle violations. Upon stopping the car, it was found that the driver, Rick D. Lawrence, 62, was showing signs of impairment.

After conducting a field sobriety test, Officer Roaldi arrested Lawrence. Lawrence was processed and released from the Royalton barracks with a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division. 

The Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Department are asking for help identifying a theft suspect, they have announced via Facebook post.

On July 22, 2019, the PD received a report about a theft that was committed on the 16th at the West Lebanon Walmart. The male in question stole around $540 worth of electronics from the store, and walked out with them in a shopping cart.

Walmart’s surveillance cameras were able to catch the suspect, shown in the attached photos.

The Lebanon Police are asking anyone who can identify the suspect or who has any information pertaining to the investigation to call Officer Daniel Gaspard at 603-448-1212. You can also submit information via the anonymous tip line by calling 603-448-CLUE or online at LebanonNH.gov/CLUE. 

According to e-Ticker News of Claremont, the Claremont, New Hampshire Fire Department responded to a garage fire that resulted in total loss.

The fire took place in a garage just 25-feet off the home at 40 Bowker Street. The FD received the call about the fire at 1:39 PM, and a firetruck was on scene just three minutes later.

Along with aid from the Ascutney, Cornish, and Newport Fire Departments, the fire was able to be subdued, and nobody was injured. The home’s residents were inside at the time of the fire, which according to an investigation was caused by combustibles stored too close to a stove that had recently been in use.

The fire destroyed all belongings inside the garage, including the two motor vehicles parked there. 

A Springfield, Vermont man will serve jail time after his admission to molesting young children, reports HereCast.

David LaClair, 62, entered two guilty and one “no contest” pleas Tuesday to three felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with children. Investigators believe the abuse spanned around five years when LaClair had begun staying with friends who had young children, around 2010.

LaClair, who requires oxygen 24 hours a day due to health problems, initially denied all claims brought up by three separate children. But, later told investigators that he “drank alcohol and consumed cocaine and heroin” and that “maybe (he) watched pornography while children were present,” which falls in line with victims testimony.

The man is facing anywhere from 5 to 15 years in prison. 

The Lebanon Police Department arrested a convicted felon from Florida late Monday night, they announced via release.

On August 5,2019, police received several calls describing loud yelling and an incident with a gun, with one caller stating he was “pistol whipped” by an unknown man who went into a Granite Street apartment.

Upon investigation, it was found that the unknown man had been approached about his speed on the road. It was at this point that he pulled his gun, ultimately hitting another man and causing a head injury. The assailant was 36-year-old David Jones, now of Lebanon, NH. A search of Jones’ apartment found the firearm in question, along with multiple others.

He has been charged with Felon Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, a Class Felony, along with Criminal Threatening Conduct with a Firearm and First Degree Assault with a Firearm, both Class A felonies. 

The Lebanon Police Department have arrested a Dorchester, New Hampshire man on drug charges following an incident Saturday night at the Quality Inn, states a press release.

On Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 at approximately 10:26 PM, the Lebanon PD received a call from a concerned party stating that his female friend asked him to contact the authorities as she was afraid of the male acquaintance she was staying with at the hotel. It was reported that the man possessed a firearm and was not allowing the female to leave the room.

Lebanon, Hanover, and Hartford Police officers arrived on scene and set up a perimeter around the hotel. Contact was then made with the woman who was able to leave the room.

Police apprehended the man, Mark A. Perry, 40, a search indicated that the weapon was a pellet gun, and he was also in possession of Clonazepam, Lorazepam, and Adderall. Perry has been charged with three Class B felony counts on Possession of a Controlled Drug.

He was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections and was arraigned in court on August 5th.