Bennington Police Department

05/14/2026

05/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Diotte and Corporal Racana on successfully completing the IPMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association)! 🚴‍♂️👏

This intensive training pushes officers to their limits, combining tactical riding, emergency response, patrol procedures, night rides and even mock scenes. Bike patrol officers are able to interact with residents in a more approachable and personal way while also increasing visibility throughout our neighborhoods, parks, and community events. Their dedication to continued training and professional development reflects their commitment to keeping our community safe while building positive relationships with the people they serve.

A big thank you to Brattleboro Police Department for hosting the training program. We appreciate the opportunity to learn alongside your team!

Congratulations again, Sergeant Diotte and Corporal Racana, on this great accomplishment!

05/03/2026

** Updated video included in post

The Bennington Police disseminate news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact the Bennington Police.

Bennington Police News Release

CASE #: 26BN003794
CONTACT #: 802-442-1030
DATE/TIME: May 3, 2026 at 10:43 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: Beshara’s 99 Cents & Up, located at 119 Park St. Bennington, VT
VIOLATION: Armed Robbery
ACCUSED: Unknown
VICTIM: Beshara’s 99 Cents & Up

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On the above date and time, the Bennington Police Department responded to Beshara’s 99 Cents & Up following a report of an armed robbery. The suspect allegedly held an employee of the store up at gunpoint before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect was last seen in the area of Pleasant Street and Valentine Street.

Bennington Police responded to the area immediately and began to investigate the incident. The suspect left the store with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported during the incident.

The Bennington Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying the suspect depicted in the attached photograph. Anyone with information, video footage, or photographs related to this incident or the individual(s) involved is asked to contact the Bennington Police Department at 802 442 1030 or submit a tip through the department’s website at www.BenningtonPolice.com.

No further information is available at this time.

04/26/2026

Media Release
Release Number: 26BN003592
Date: April 26, 2026
Charge: Fugitive from Justice – Title 13 VSA §4953
Underlying Offense: Murder (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
Jurisdiction: Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts
Defendant: Janette R. MacAusland, age 49
Custody Status: Lodged at Marble Valley Correctional Facility — Held Without Bail

On Friday, April 24, 2026, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the Bennington Police Department was contacted and requested to conduct a welfare check after a woman arrived at a family residence in Bennington appearing highly distraught. It was reported that the woman had a visible neck injury and was bleeding.

Upon making contact, the woman was identified as Janette R. MacAusland. Officers attempted to engage her in conversation and, during the interaction, became increasingly concerned for the welfare of her children. As a result, officers requested that the Wellesley Police Department respond to MacAusland’s residence in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to conduct a check on the children.

At approximately 9:50 p.m., the Wellesley Police Department notified the Bennington Police Department that two children were found deceased inside the MacAusland residence. The Bennington Police Department subsequently began further assisting Massachusetts law enforcement authorities in their investigation into the deaths.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, Janette R. MacAusland was taken into custody by the Bennington Police Department as a Fugitive from Justice. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Criminal Complaint Warrant charging MacAusland with two counts of Murder under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 1.

MacAusland is currently being held at Marble Valley Correctional Facility without bail. She is scheduled to be arraigned on April 27, 2026, in Rutland Superior Court, Criminal Division.

The Bennington Police Department was assisted by the Bennington Rescue Squad, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, and United Counseling Service. For additional details regarding the underlying investigation, please contact the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

No further information is available at this time.

04/25/2026

Drug Take Back today from 10am until 2pm. Dispose of your unused or expired medication to the Bennington Police Department

**** SAVE THE DATE****

Bennington Police Department will be participating in the National DEA Prescription Drug Take Back on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10am - 2pm. You can drop off your unused and expired prescriptions at the front lobby of the Bennington Police Department.

04/24/2026

****Owner located****

This dog was found on River Street at Depot Street. If you know the owner, please call the Bennington Police Department at 802-442-1030

04/22/2026

Bennington Police Department is hiring!

04/22/2026

**** SAVE THE DATE****

Bennington Police Department will be participating in the National DEA Prescription Drug Take Back on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10am - 2pm. You can drop off your unused and expired prescriptions at the front lobby of the Bennington Police Department.

04/16/2026

This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators week and we honor our Communications Specialists at the Bennington Police Department for their dedicated service to Bennington and surrounding communities. We operate a 24/7 communications center here at the Bennington Police Department and provide services for the Bennington Police Department, Bennington Fire Department, Bennington Rural Fire Department, North Bennington Fire Department, Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington Public Works, Pownal Fire Department, Pownal Rescue Squad and direct communications with New York emergency services. Our Communications Specialists are the first point of contact for people in crisis, people needing emergency response from police, fire or rescue as well as the people that may often have non-emergency related questions.
This dedicated group of professionals maintains communications for all first responders during calls for service. At times the communications specialists may feel overwhelmed based on the call volume here in Bennington, but they always maintain a professional demeanor and ensure the safety of all. We are proud to have such a dedicated staff of Communications Specialists at the Bennington Police Department. Please join us in thanking this dedicated team!! (Based on shift assignments, not all communication specialists are pictured.)

04/15/2026

The 2026 New Experience Camp applications are officially AVAILABLE!! Please come pick up an application at the Bennington Police Department and get your child signed up!

Applications are available now. Deadline is June 1st or once the camp is full!