Police: Homeless Woman Stole Ex-Boyfriend's Car While He Relieved Himself on Side of the Road

A woman was charged with trespassing and taking her ex-boyfriends car when he pulled over to answer nature’s call.

Brookline Police responded to a report of a person trespassing in the lobby of a building on Kent Street at 9:20 p.m. on April 22.

Officers arrived and spoke to the woman, who officers said smelled of alcohol and her speech was slurred. According to police, the woman began screaming while they spoke to the victim. Officers reportedly told the woman to calm down several times.

The victim told police that they thought the woman had stolen the car she arrived in. Officers went outside and found the vehicle, which had fresh damage on the front driver’s side and bumper.

A check with the Brookline dispatch revealed that the vehicle was not stolen, however, it had been involved in two hit and run incidents in Medford. The woman said that the vehicle belonged to a friend and wouldn’t say anything more.

Officers then placed the woman under arrest and took her to the station. While in the holding cell, the suspect began screaming and claiming that she needed medical attention. EMS responded, and was transported to Beth Israel Hospital.

At the station, the officer contacted the State Police Barracks in Medford and spoke with a trooper who said that the vehicle had been operating northbound in the southbound lanes of the Fellsway West in Medford.

The trooper told the officer that the vehicle struck two vehicles and fled the scene at about 7:05 p.m. that evening. At this time, Brookline dispatch informed the officer that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of New Hampshire.

The officer spoke with a witness in Medford, who claimed to see a brown Mercury Sable traveling northbound in the Southbound lane. The witness said that motorists hit their horns and tried to tell the driver that she was going the wrong way.

Police contacted the owner of the car, who said that he was driving with the suspect earlier that day. He and the suspect had an on and off relationship. He was driving at about 5 or 6 p.m., when he pulled over to relive himself at the side of the road. When he turned back to the car, the suspect jumped into the front seat and drove off. The man walked home and filed a report with the police.

An Auburn, New Hampshire officer spoke with the arresting officer and told him that she entered the report of the stolen car. She also said that Auburn police knew the woman, who lives in a tent in the woods nearby.

Officers charged Loretta Mearls, 49, homeless, and charged her with an O.U.I., alcohol (fifth offense), receiving stolen property, trespassing, disorderly conduct and operating after revocation.