Arriving at a scene described as “chaotic,” police arrested a 42-year-old unhoused man following multiple calls reporting assaults on Taylor Street in Montpelier on June 26 around 4 p.m. This followed a pursuit on foot along the Winooski River near Bob’s Sunoco, where police shot the man “several times” with non-lethal “bean bag rounds.” Bean bag rounds are primarily used for crowd control by law enforcement and corrections officials, according to defense-technology.com. They are made of a silica-sand-filled bag.

When police first arrived at Taylor Street, they encountered several victims and witnesses who, the police report states, expressed hostility toward law enforcement. As the investigation went on, officers singled out Victor C. Pino, 42, no address, according to a June 26 police report. Pino had been staring at officers from the Taylor Street Bridge sidewalk and was known to them for prior arrests. 

In the past, Pino had allegedly been accused of prior assaults, an assault on officers, possession of weapons, and resisting arrest. So when police attempted to talk to him, he allegedly fled to evade arrest.

Then, when officers tried to stop him, Pino “rushed” at one officer, “prompting the deployment” of a bean bag round. 

“Pino then fled onto Memorial Drive, where he was struck several times with additional bean bag rounds but continued running toward the edge of the road and a nearby rock wall,” the report states. Pino was then allegedly seen holding jagged glass. Officers pepper sprayed him, then arrested him.

Police brought Pino to Central Vermont Medical Center for “decontamination” and evaluation, according to the release. Following medical clearance, police brought Pino to the Montpelier Police Department for processing. A judge was contacted and ordered Pino held on $750 bail.

Pino was scheduled to appear in Washington County Superior Court Friday, June 27 to face the charges of two counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct, violation of conditions of release, and resisting arrest.