STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
CASE#: 26B4007417
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Eric Jakubowski
STATION: Rutland
Barracks
CONTACT#: 802-773-9101
DATE/TIME: 09/29/2026 @ 1045 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: Pro Cycle Route 103 Clarendon, VT,
Cottage Street Rutland City, VT
ACCUSED: Christopher
Herring
AGE: 45
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, VT
VIOLATION: Grand Larceny, Operation without Owner’s Consent,
Larceny from a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Burglar’s Tools
ACCUSED: Joseph Tardif
AGE: 43
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Proctor, VT
VIOLATION: Possession of Stolen Property
ACCUSED: Melissa Godette
AGE: 50
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland City, VT
VIOLATION: Possession of Stolen Property
ACCUSED: Jessica Taylor
AGE: 40
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland City, VT
VIOLATION: Possession of Stolen Property
VICTIM: Matthew Esslinger
AGE: 46
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Clarendon, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On September 29, 2026, at approximately 1045 hours Troopers
from the Rutland Barracks were notified of a stolen vehicle from Pro Cycle on
Route 103 in Clarendon, VT. The victim Matthew Esslinger reported his vehicle
was stolen during the previous night. A Be on the Lookout (BOL) was aired to
all local Rutland law enforcement agencies, and the vehicle was observed in
downtown Rutland City where officers with the Rutland City Police Department
conducted a traffic stop with the stolen vehicle on Cottage Street. Troopers
responded to the traffic stop. Christopher Herring was found to be the operator
at the time of the traffic stop and was operating the vehicle without
permission to do so. Further investigation revealed Herring initially went into
the vehicle during the day on September 28, 2026, and stole the key fob and
then returned during nighttime hours and stole the vehicle. Herring was also
found to be in possession of burglar’s tools. Herring was taken into custody
for the multiple offenses and transported to the Vermont State Police Rutland
Barracks for processing. Herring was held at Marble Valley Regional
Correctional Facility on $20,000 bail and cited to appear in Rutland County
Criminal Court on 09/30/2026 at 1230 hours.
The three passengers were identified as Joseph Tardif,
Melissa Godette, and Jessica Taylor. All three were found to be in possession
of stolen property felony amount, taken into custody, and transported to the
Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks for processing. All three passengers were
cited and released to appear in Rutland County Criminal Court on 12/07/2026 at
1000 hours.
Troopers were assisted by the Rutland City Police
Department.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 09/30/2026 @ 1230
hours
COURT: Rutland County Criminal Court
LODGED - LOCATION: Marble Valley Regional Correctional
Facility
BAIL: $20,000
MUG SHOT(s): Attached
*Please note: court date and time are subject to
change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm
arraignment time.
