CRAFTSBURY, Vt. — A Craftsbury man barricaded himself inside his home on Wild Branch Road in Craftsbury for several hours Monday after troopers tried to arrest him on a burglary complaint, Vermont State Police said. He now faces charges including burglary, attempting to elude police and possessing a large-capacity magazine.

Police said they were told at about 7:17 a.m. that Robert Witham Jr., 46, of Craftsbury, had gone into a home on Dustan Road without permission and stolen several items from the house and from its owner's farm stand. The man who lives there, Mark Royan, 46, reported the burglary, police said. Witham was also wanted in connection with related incidents reported Friday, according to police.

While investigating, troopers saw Witham drive past Royan's home, police said. He did not stop for troopers in marked cruisers on North Craftsbury Road or on Wild Branch Road. Troopers did not chase him, but police said he drove negligently and well over the speed limit.

Troopers then saw Witham go into his home on Wild Branch Road, police said. He refused orders to come out, and the road was closed for several hours while officers served a search warrant to arrest him. State police tactical and drone teams, the Orleans County Sheriff's Department, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Hardwick police and the Craftsbury Fire Department were among those who responded.

Police said they found a loaded gun and a 30-round rifle magazine in the vehicle Witham had been driving. He is also accused of damaging a state police drone during the search.

Across the two cases, Witham is charged with burglary of an occupied home, retail theft, negligent driving, attempting to elude police, excessive speed, possessing a large-capacity magazine, possessing a loaded gun in a vehicle, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass in an occupied home and onto property, police said.

He was held on $5,000 bail at Northern State Correctional Facility and was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Orleans criminal division court in Newport.

The charges are allegations, and Witham is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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