Vermont State Game Wardens were conducting a routine snowmobile patrol on VAST trail C7-100 near the Stratton-Dover line on February 17, when they encountered Lawrence Orenstein, 61, of Wilmington, VT operating a snowmobile without up-to-date VAST stickers or registration. Mr. Orenstein was stopped for the infraction. While investigating the registration issue, wardens detected a strong odor of intoxicants from Mr. Orenstein.
Mr. Orenstein was arrested for Snowmobiling While Intoxicated (SWI) and was transported to Dover Police Department for processing. He was released on a citation and is scheduled to appear in Windham County Criminal Division court on March 31, 2020, in Brattleboro.
Mr. Orenstein was also charged with DUI on October 3, 2019, by the Wilmington Police Department. Because of this, Mr. Orenstein was also charged with violating conditions of release. If convicted of the original DUI and SWI, Mr. Lawrence faces fines of not more than $1,500, a maximum of two years in prison and 200 hours of community service.
Vermont State Game Wardens remind riders that consuming alcohol while operating a snowmobile is illegal and dangerous.