PRESS RELEASE
Bellows Falls Police Department
170 Rockingham Street Bellows Falls VT
802-463-1234
Tips Line: 802-463-2373
CASE #: 24BF001823
OFFICER: Sergeant Ian Tuttle and Officer Leon Andrews
DATE/TIME: 06/26/2024 at approximately 0118 hours.
LOCATION (specific): Various Streets, Bellows Falls
ACCUSED: Jeffrey L. Matteson (age 29)
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bellows Falls, Vermont
VIOLATION: Eluding a Police Officer, DUI – Drugs, Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine Possession, Violation of Conditions of Release (20 Counts),
Possession of Dangerous Weapons During the Commission of a Felony
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On June 26th, 2024, at approximately 0118 hours, officers with the Bellows Falls Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle on Rockingham St after observing numerous motor vehicle violations. The vehicle failed to stop for officers emergency lights and sirens and officers continued to attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was finally stopped on Tuttle St after pulling into a parking lot.
Officers made contact with the operator, Jeffrey L. Matteson, age 29, of Bellows Falls, who was subsequently placed under arrest. Additionally, Matteson displayed indicators of impairment. Items of drug paraphernalia were observed inside of the vehicle. A consent search was requested and denied by Matteson. The vehicle was subsequently seized pending the application of a search warrant.
Matteson was transported to the Bellows Falls Police Department for processing. At the completion of processing he was issued a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court – Windham Criminal Division on 08/13/2024 to answer to the charges of Eluding a Police Officer, DUI – Drugs, and VCOR.
Upon obtaining a search warrant the vheicle was searched and suspected heroin/fentanyl, crack cocaine, and dangerous/deadly weapons were located inside of the vehicle. Matteson will additionally face the aforemention charges upon his arraingment on 08/13/2024.
The Bellows Falls Police Department was assisted by J&M Auto with regards to this investigation.
Note: Decisions regarding release and or bail are outside of the control of the Police Department. These matters are handled by the Judicial System, including Judges, Court Clerks, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
