Burlington Man Charged in String of Robberies Across the City

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Burlington man has been arrested for allegedly committing a series of robberies last weekend, prompting police intervention and charges of assault and robbery.

Bobby Bethune, 25, was taken into custody on March 22, shortly after the third incident occurred at the Kinney Drugs on Shelburne Road. Witnesses reported that Bethune allegedly handed a note to a store employee, demanding cash before fleeing the scene on a bicycle.

The first robbery was reported on North Winooski Avenue Friday morning, where a similar description of the suspect was provided. Employees stated a man entered the store, presented a note, and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Later that same day, another report came in from South Union Street, where a man, again fitting the same description, demanded cash from a register. This time, he claimed to possess a bomb, leading to increased alarm among employees and customers.

Law enforcement acted quickly, identifying Bethune from surveillance footage and witness accounts. He was arrested in a parking lot near City Market, just a short distance from the Kinney Drugs. According to police, Bethune had been released from a correctional facility the day preceding the robberies.

Authorities charged him with two counts of assault and robbery and one count of larceny. He is currently being held at Northwest Correctional Facility with a bail set at $10,000.

Burlington Police Chief, Jon Murad, stated, “Our officers responded promptly to ensure public safety and to apprehend the suspect quickly. It’s critical we address and resolve such threats swiftly to instill confidence in our community.”

As cases like this continue to emerge, law enforcement officials reiterate the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activity to assist in keeping the city safe.