Manhunt underway in Bennington

BENNINGTON –– A manhunt is underway for a 37-year-old suspect, Zachary J. Dumas, wanted for attempted second-degree murder and assault and robbery with injury.

The Vermont Superior Court issued an arrest warrant for Dumas on Sept. 8, but he remains at large despite concerted efforts by local police.Bennington Police Department received a tip on Sept. 14, leading them to a residence on Pleasant Street where Dumas had been seen. Upon arrival, Dumas fled to an upstairs apartment and locked himself in.

Authorities surrounded the building and, with permission from the apartment’s renter, forced entry into the unit.

However, Dumas escaped, jumping from a second-story window onto the building’s roof before leaping onto a nearby garage roof and over a fence, thereby eluding police.

Dumas was later spotted in a neighborhood on Booth Terrace and again on Middle Pownal Road. Despite establishing a perimeter and enlisting air support from the New York State Police Aviation unit, the search was unsuccessful.

The manhunt was called off around 10:30 p.m., with Dumas’ whereabouts currently unknown. The Bennington Police Department is urging anyone with information on Dumas to come forward. He is considered dangerous and has a history of resisting arrest.

The Vermont Department of Corrections, which supervises Dumas under the Community Supervision Furlough Program, also issued a Commissioner’s Warrant for his arrest. The public is advised not to approach Dumas but to contact the Bennington Police Department immediately with any information.