BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A repeat offender who led authorities on a week-long, multi-county manhunt last August has pleaded guilty to federal charges.
Court paperwork says Eric Edson stole more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Sierra Trading Post store. After being confronted by a staff member, Edson told them, “I’ll blow your head off.”
Edson had faced a federal charge of affecting commerce by robbing the store which holds a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. He’ll be sentenced later this year.
He still faces several charges in state court after taking off from Burlington Police using a car, stolen bicycle, paddleboard, and sailboat. The chase extended into Lamoille and Franklin Counties, where he stole a tractor and a dump truck. He was eventually arrested in the town of Georgia after trying to escape again in a stolen Kayak.
Edson’s criminal history dates back to 1987.