WESTPORT — A Vermont man was arrested Saturday after a three-day manhunt that began when his abandoned vehicle was discovered on a snowmobile trail in Westport.
Collen J. Gardner, 48, of Sheldon, faces multiple charges including two counts of menacing a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (previous conviction), and two counts of attempted assault in the second degree with intent to cause physical injury.
The search began March 13 at approximately 1:40 p.m., when Troopers responded to a complaint about an abandoned vehicle on Fish and Game Way in Westport.
Upon arrival, they located a blue 2012 Nissan Versa approximately 40 yards off the north shoulder of the road, with damage to the front door handles and windshield.
The vehicle appeared to be stuck on a snowmobile trail leading to Mountain Spring Road.
A search of the VIN revealed that the vehicle belonged to Gardner, who was considered missing and wanted by the Vermont State Police.
A multi-agency search for Gardner was initiated in the wooded areas and nearby camps surrounding his abandoned vehicle.
On March 14, New York State Forest Rangers spotted Gardner and directed him to stop.
In response, Gardner fired a shot in the vicinity of the forest rangers and fled from law enforcement.
A safety perimeter was established in the surrounding areas as law enforcement continued their search.
On March 15, Gardner was located by members of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, and a State Police member, as he walked on the ice of Lake Champlain toward Crown Point.
When confronted, he was in possession of what appeared to be a black rifle.
Following commands from law enforcement, Gardner dropped the weapon and continued walking on unsafe ice conditions.
Due to the hazardous ice conditions, law enforcement agencies chose not to intervene at that moment but set up a perimeter around the area.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., he was arrested near Crown Point State Park without incident by State Police, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, and Forest Rangers.
Gardner was given medical attention and transported to SP Lewis for further questioning and processing.
He was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Westport Court and remanded to Essex County Jail without bail.
The State Police received assistance from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Forest Rangers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Tri-County SORT, Westport Fire, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
During the manhunt, the State Police utilized multiple units, including NYSP SORT, UTVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, and K9s.
Vermont State Police were informed that Gardner was arrested and is being held at Essex County Jail.
