Vt. Corrections delays release of notorious repeat offender Harley Breer

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The expected release of one of Vermont’s most notorious career criminals prompted immediate concerns in the community where he plans to live, but Vermont Corrections officials say Harley Breer’s release has now been delayed.

Breer has been in and out of jail since the late 1980s for a variety of crimes, including kidnapping, sexual assault and assault.

He has been in prison since his arrest following a five-day manhunt in April 2021. His minimum release date was Dec. 1, 2024, and Vermont’s Department of Corrections confirmed to WCAX News the state is preparing Breer for release. The news was first reported by freelance journalist Mike Donoghue.

But Wednesday morning, a Department of Corrections spokesperson told WCAX News that they are now delaying Breer’s release until at least next week. We don’t know why.

Essex County State’s Attorney Vince Illuzzi told WCAX that Breer plans to live in the small town of Caanan, which borders New Hampshire and Canada.

The news prompted immediate community concern, especially since Canaan’s Police Department was disbanded in 2023. The town has a part-time contract for police services through the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, whose Guildhall office is about 45 minutes away from Caanan. Illuzzi says Caanan relies on U.S. Customs and Border Protection as their primary agency to respond to emergencies.

Illuzzi says he has contacted Vermont Corrections Commissioner Nick Deml asking him to reconsider Breer’s placement in Caanan.

“It’s a difficult place to put someone who has a record of being a career criminal. And we think that the commissioner should reverse that decision and locate Mr. Breer in an area where he would be close to the Department of Corrections office that will supervise him, and secondly, where there are adequate resources in the form of law enforcement and other supervisory agencies that can keep a close eye on Mr. Breer,” Illuzzi said.

Breer’s latest conviction came in May 2023 when The Times Argus reports Breer reached a plea agreement for charges connected to a 2021 manhunt. Police say Breer, who was on house arrest, escaped custody by removing his ankle monitor, assaulted a neighbor near his Marshfield home and went on the run. His charges were reduced, with a final deal having him serve four to 10 years on obstruction of justice convictions and up to 20 years on probation on an unlawful mischief conviction, according to the Times Argus. His sentence included credit for time served.

The Times Argus reports part of Breer’s probation includes mandatory mental health, anger management and risk reduction programming.

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