Editor’s note: The suspect below has been cleared of all charges following discovery that his vehicle and identity were stolen. Read an update on the story here.
BURRILLVILLE: A Vermont man is facing felony charges after police caught him speeding along Broncos Highway with multiple needles – including one filled with an unknown substance – in the door of his vehicle last month.
Craig Leibold, 28, of Barre, Vt. was charged with possession and reckless driving/eluding an officer following the incident on Friday, Oct. 23.
According to reports, police first spotted Leibold when he ran a red light at the intersection of Broncos Highway and Central Street, nearly crashing into a patrol car.
Leibold reportedly sped southbound along the highway, ignoring attempts to pull him over for two miles and crossing over the double yellow lines. The vehicle entered Glocester and came to a “screeching,” stop by Jackson Schoolhouse Road, according to reports.
Once in handcuffs, Leibold reportedly told police, “Call the Feds. I’m not talking to anyone.”
Police began to search the vehicle, which had what officers said appeared to be fresh damage along the driver side, when Leibold spoke up and advised them to be careful for needles.
Multiple needles were located in the driver’s side door, and the search further uncovered two black scales, a knife with an unknown substance on the blade, multiple plastic baggies, a pre-packaged Suboxone film strip, and a $685 in cash.
In addition to the charges, Leibold was also issued multiple citations for speeding, obedience of traffic control devices, operating without evidence of insurance and more.
According to police, Leibold also initially refused to be fingerprinted, but was eventually processed and held overnight.
Leibold was released on personal recognizance with a bond of $5,000 on the condition that he attend pre-trial services to monitor for substance abuse. He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29.
