Nashua Woman Escapes Police Station, Promptly Caught: Cops

TYNGSBOROUGH, MA — A Nashua, New Hampshire, woman was arrested Tuesday after authorities said she stole a sport utility in vehicle in Tyngsborough then briefly escaped the police station. Katie Gagne, 29, was charged with a host of crimes.

The incident started Tuesday at about 12:54 a.m., according to Tyngsborough Police Chief Richard Howe. Gagne stole a Kia Sorento on Danforth Road and drove over the victim's front lawn to escape, Howe said.

"A responding officer came upon the vehicle on Thorndike Street," Howe said in a statement. "Officers conducted a felony stop. An officer approached and saw a woman, later identified as GAGNE behind the wheel. He ordered her to unlock the door, and she refused. GAGNE then allegedly tried to start the vehicle and put it into gear. One of the officers noticed this and alerted the others to the danger, as one of the officers was standing directly in front of the vehicle. Another officer deployed his baton and smashed the passenger window and, with their service weapons drawn, officers ordered GAGNE to keep her hands visible."

Officers took the suspect into custody as she "continuously resisted arrest," Howe said. At about 9 a.m., as she was being prepared for transport to court, she ran out of the police station, Howe said. A police sergeant chased the suspect and promptly caught her near Westford Road, Howe added.

Gagne was charged with motor vehicle larceny, resisting arrest, providing a false name to police and escaping municipal lockup.

Photo: Katie Gagne. (Credit: Tyngsborough Police Department)