Neighbors catch man going through cars

A man who was wearing a ball cap, hoodie and a ski mask was detained by some Union Street residents after he was spotted going through cars in the neighborhood.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20130522/NEWS02/705229885

Published May 22, 2013 in the Rutland Herald Police: Neighbors caught man going through cars By ERIC FRANCIS CORRESPONDENT WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man who was wearing a ball cap, hoodie and a ski mask Sunday night when neighbors allegedly caught him going through cars on Union Street was re-released on stricter curfew conditions while efforts continue to resolve a half-dozen criminal cases he has pending. Police said Corey Betit, 23, admitted that he had smoked “a 30-rock” of crack cocaine shortly before he was detained by Union Street residents who told officers they had spotted him going through their cars around 10 p.m. Sunday. Springfield Police Detective Allison Novasel wrote in her affidavit that she arrived on the scene Sunday night to find Betit “laying on the ground in the fetal position” surrounded by at least three men who had captured him. It wasn’t until he was handcuffed and his mask removed that Novasel said she immediately recognized it was Betit “from past professional encounters.” Betit currently has six open cases, including one that was added last month alleging a series of check forgeries. Windsor County Deputy State’s Attorney David Cahill pointed out during Monday’s hearing that Sunday night’s arrest makes for Betit’s second alleged violations of court-ordered conditions of pre-trial release on those charges. Betit’s public defender, Jordana Levine, explained to Judge Katherine Hayes that Betit’s cases are tracking toward a plea deal that is expected to furlough Betit back out into the community in order to allow him to participate in the Correction’s Department’s Intensive Substance Abuse Program. “During his most recent arraignment Corey’s girlfriend was actually in labor at the hospital so Corey has a lot of things going on right now,” Levine told the court. This prompted a rebuttal from Cahill: “The state would suggest that being out at night past his curfew, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask, and going in-and-out of people’s vehicles is not one of the ways that people tend to solve problems like this. I think his actions are (demonstrating) a downward spiral that continues.” Judge Hayes replied that while she was concerned of flight risk so she was not going to impose bail but instead tighten his curfew to a full 24-hours a day with exceptions for medical and legal appointments and his newly acquired job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. Levine stressed the need for Betit to be employed if he were going to eventually avail himself of the state’s drug abuse program because it charges participants a fee. Betit breathed an audible sigh of relief and crossed himself at the defense table as Hayes explained she would not be requiring him to post bail in order to walk out of the courthouse.