Driving Laws, DUI and Crime on the Road

On August 24th, 2008 at approximately 10:30 PM the Vermont State Police were contacted by the Littleton New Hampshire Police Department who advised that a family member of Christopher Chase reported that Chase 28 years old, made comments indicating that he may have killed his live in girlfriend Sara Bragdon 22 years old and was currently in western New York State.

Upon receiving this information Troopers from the St Johnsbury Barracks along with members of the Criminal Division responded to the Bragdon residence located on Fellows Road in Guildhall, VT. Upon their arrival they found the house secured and no signs of activity.   A vehicle belonging to Ms. Bragdon was located at the residence. Knowing that Ms. Bragdon has a small child investigators forcefully entered the residence and conducted a sweep of the residence for any potential victim’s, at which time they found a deceased female in the residence. The deceased was later identified as being Sara Bragdon.  Ms. Bragdon’s child was safely located with her biological father in the State of New Hampshire.

It appeared that Ms. Bragdon sustained a gun shot wound. Investigators secured the residence and began the process of obtaining search warrants. Crime Scene Search Members were called in to process the scene.

It was learned that Mr. Chase had fled the area in Ms. Bragdon’s other vehicle a Red Ford Mustang at which time a BOL (Be On The Look Out) was issued for the vehicle and Mr. Chase.

 Investigators began to track Mr. Chase through investigative means and were able to determine that he was in the Western portion of New York State. Investigators contacted the New York State Police and the Rochester Police Department requesting assistance. Based upon a joint investigation Ms. Bragdon’s vehicle was located in the parking lot of a major department store. New York authorities conducted surveillance in the area and observed Mr. Chase exiting the department store where he was taken into custody without incident at approximately 1219 PM today.

Mr. Chase is currently being held as a fugitive from justice in the State of New York pending extradition to the State of Vermont where he will face charges of second degree murder.

Ms. Bragdon’s body is being sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.