Man Crashes Car and Threatens Police With Hammer During Arrest

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Burlington, Vermont — On June 5, 2024, at approximately 2:44 p.m., the Burlington Police Department’s Dispatch Center received a third party call regarding an active domestic assault in progress. The caller stated an individual known to them stated the assault was taking place on Riverside Avenue in the parking lot of Cumberland Farms, located at 454 Riverside Avenue, in the City of Burlington, VT. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to witnesses while other Officers canvassed the area for the suspect vehicle as it fled prior to Officers’ arrival. Officers had prior knowledge of the suspect vehicle based on a Be On the Lookout (BOL) that was issued to local law enforcement agencies by the Colchester Police Department. Officers located the suspected vehicle in the rear parking lot of Domino’s Pizza.

Officers attempted to make contact with the vehicle when a male later identified as 41-year-old Thomas Burke, got into the driver’s seat, and exited the parking lot at a high rate of speed. As Burke’s vehicle exited the parking lot in a negligent manner, he almost stuck an Officer who had arrived in a marked police cruiser with its blue lights activated. Burke then continued to operate the motor vehicle at a high rate of speed. Ultimately, Burke crashed his vehicle into several vehicles that were stopped at the traffic light. Burke exited the vehicle in possession of a hammer refusing verbal commands from the Officers. Burke then fled on foot behind residential buildings which led to a short foot pursuit. Burke stopped, turned towards Officers still in possession of the hammer, and took a fighting stance. Burke made threats towards Officers.

Officers deployed less lethal impact munitions (LLIMs). Burke was struck, causing him to drop the hammer, and he was taken into custody without further incident. The Burlington Fire Department transported Burke to the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Emergency Department (UVMMC ED) for medical evaluation. It was later learned that Burke was involved in multiple vehicle pursuits by neighboring law enforcement agencies. Burke was transported to Northwest Correctional Facility and lodged on $25,000 bail. Burke was arraigned in court on charges of Attempted Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Grossly Negligent Operation, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Leaving a Scene of an Accident, Eluding Police Officer while operating in a grossly negligent manner, and Impeding a Public Officer.