On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at approximately 11:20PM, Lebanon Fire and Police Units responded to a working fire at the First Baptist Church located at 13 School Street. Subsequently, in the early morning hours of December 29th, at approximately 12:15AM, police and fire units responded to 68 Mascoma Street, an occupied structure, for a report of a fire in the basement. Responding units found a couch that had been set on fire in a common area of the basement. The fire had been extinguished by a sprinkler system prior to the arrival of the fire and police departments.
Subsequent investigation by the Lebanon Fire Department, the Lebanon Police Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office determined the fire at the First Baptist Church to be suspicious, as was the fire at 68 Mascoma Street. Through investigation, the Lebanon Police Department developed information that both fires were deliberately set and began pursuing a person of interest.
Anthony K. Boisvert, age 27, of Tannery Lane in Lebanon, was identified as a person of interest in the two aforementioned suspicious fires. Lebanon Police patrol and detective units began actively attempting to locate Boisvert to further the investigation but determined that he had fled the area.
On Sunday January 1, 2017 at approximately 9:10PM Lebanon Police Communications received an E911 call regarding a stabbing that had just occurred at the Boulder’s Condominium complex at 20 Wolf Road. The calling party reported that there were two stabbing victims at the scene.
Lebanon Police Patrol Units arrived at the scene to find the two victims, a 52-year-old male and a 66-year-old female, both with multiple stab wounds and serious injuries. The victims were known to the suspect and both victims were able to identify Anthony Boisvert as their attacker. After stabbing both victims, Boisvert fled the scene on foot.
A widespread search for Boisvert was initiated to include a K-9 track by Officer Jeremy Perkins and K-9 Max. Additional personnel were called in to assist and the Tactical Containment Team was called in and put on standby. At approximately 10:14PM Boisvert was located on foot in front of a Tannery Lane address by Sgt. Jeff Perkins. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Boisvert is charged with two counts of 1stDegree Assault along with three counts of Arson, all Felony level offenses. He is being held pending those charges and on a detainer by Probation/Parole. He is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday, 1/3/17, in the 2nd Circuit Court, Lebanon District Division. Both stabbing victims are being treated at DHMC and their injuries are not considered life-threatening. The investigation continues and further charges are possible. Updates will be issued as they come available. During the course of the current investigation, it was determined that Boisvert was also responsible for setting a fire on January 16, 2016 at 174 Hanover Street Extension. That building was abandoned at the time and was a total loss.