VSP News Release-Incident
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
CASE#: 26A3000094/25A3009034
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Troopers Mae Murdock and Alyssa Nozka
STATION: Berlin Barracks
CONTACT#: (802) 229-9191
DATE/TIME: January 05, 2026, at approximately 1430 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: Kneeland Flats Tpk, Waterbury
VIOLATION: Attempt to locate
ACCUSED: Tristan Dunster
AGE: 40
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Duxbury, VT
VICTIM: (The Vermont State Police does not release the names of victims of
sexual assault or domestic violence.)
AGE:
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE:
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On the above date and time, troopers responded to the Kneeland Flats Trailer Park in Waterbury in response to several tips from community members that Tristan “TJ” Dunster, 40, of Duxbury was staying at residences within. Dunster has an active arrest warrant for first-degree aggravated domestic assault, burglary, criminal threatening, and violation of conditions of release arising from an incident that occurred Dec. 29, 2025. Dunster was not located following this original incident, and an arrest warrant was issued, with bail set at $50,000.
The tip on Jan. 5 resulted in a large police presence at the trailer park in an attempt to locate Dunster. He was not located. The Vermont State Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dunster. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191. Anonymous tips may be provided online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Dunster is described as approximately 6-foot 01 inch and approximately 220 pounds, with partial gray hair. A photo of Dunster is attached to this release.
In the Dec. 29 incident, Dunster is accused of assaulting a former romantic partner. At the time of this assault, Dunster had active conditions of release preventing him from acting in a violent manner, along with two previous convictions of domestic assault.
COURT ACTION: Y
COURT DATE/TIME: PENDING
COURT: WASHINGTON COUNTY CRIMINAL DIVISION
LODGED - LOCATION: PENDING
BAIL: $50,000
MUG SHOT: Y
