Vt. man accused of crushing police cars released

[August 31, 2012]  NEWPORT CITY, Vt. (AP) -- A man charged with driving a tractor over seven police vehicles and crushing them has been released from a Vermont correctional facility.

The Newport Daily Express newspaper reports (bit.ly/RvsVIA) Roger Pion (PEE'-on) left the Northern State Correctional Facility on Thursday with a smile on his face.

Pion is accused of destroying vehicles parked outside the Orleans County Sheriff's Department in Derby with his dad's tractor on Aug. 2 and then driving it toward downtown Newport before police stopped him. Authorities say he had been angry over a previous arrest for marijuana possession.

Pion received support from people worldwide after his arrest. Some contributed money to help cover his $50,000 bail. But after making bail he remained in prison over an earlier case.

He thanked his supporters Thursday. He says he has no regrets.

The sheriff's department is rebuilding its fleet.

[Associated Press]

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