BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) – Police say a man arrested following a high-speed chase in Barre on Tuesday is linked to a Berlin home invasion and jewelry heist in July 2023.
John Balch, 34, was arrested Tuesday evening and faces a slew of charges including grossly negligent operation and assault on a law enforcement officer. Police say he was also wanted on a $20,000 warrant from a 2022 home invasion in Berlin.
WCAX spoke last year with Alvah Newhall, the victim of that crime. He says three masked men dressed in black demanded jewelry while ransacking the house. The intruders took what Newhall said was more than $100,000 worth of belongings.
Two of the suspects were already arrested earlier this year.
Balch pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to multiple charges including burglary. He’s being held without bail.
A wanted Warren man faces multiple charges after police say he led them on a chase Tuesday night and hit an officer with his car.
It happened around 11:30 p.m. Barre Police say they attempted to stop a car for speeding on Route 62, but that the driver, later identified as John Balch, 34, led officers on a chase.
After getting stuck in a lawn on a dead-end street, police say Balch rammed into a police cruiser and struck another officer, knocking him to the ground. The officer was treated and released from the Central Vermont Medical Center.
Police say Balch crashed nearby and fled on foot before being arrested. He faces a slew of charges including grossly negligent operation and assault on a law enforcement officer. Police say he was also wanted on a $20,000 warrant from a 2023 home invasion in Berlin.