Vt. man arrested after allegedly stealing, crashing police cruiser

LUNENBURG, Vt. (WCAX) - Police say a man who they handcuffed and put in the back of a cruiser for allegedly swinging a machete at people managed to escape his restraints and steal the police cruiser.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department says they responded to an incident at 2150 River Rd. in Lunenburg on Friday evening, where Jeremy Way, 51, Lunenburg, was allegedly swinging a machete at people. After talking with witnesses, Way was taken into custody.

But deputies say while Way was handcuffed in the vehicle, he managed to escape his restraints and stole the police cruiser.

Officers were able to locate the cruiser on Maillett Road in Lunenburg a short time later, damaged.

Several departments including the Vermont State Police, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Lyndonville Police assisted the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in searching for Way.

He was found in the woods near the cruiser and taken into custody a second time.

Way now faces several charges including escape, aggravated domestic assault, and driving under the influence. He was taken to Northeast Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury on $50,000 bail.

Way is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, March 27, at 12:30 p.m.