Highgate men arrested for impersonating game wardens, assault

HIGHGATE, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont State Police have arrested two Highgate men on charges of impersonating game wardens and assaulting two people.

Investigators say Storm Choiniere, 29, and Douglas Barratt, 53, entered a local home pretending to be game wardens investigating a deer jacking. They say the homeowner asked for an ID and Choiniere pulled a gun and assaulted the homeowner and his wife. They took off after the homeowner managed to get to a phone and call 911.

Both men are now behind bars and face numerous charges, including impersonating an officer and assault.

Police say the two had previously tried to purchase large fuel tanks from the homeowners but were not successful.

Barratt goes before a judge Wednesday and Choiniere has a court date of Jan. 5.