Merrimack Ice Cream Shop Burglary Frozen, Woman Arrested: Police

MERRIMACK, NH — A Merrimack woman was arrested after police said she tried to break into an ice cream shop on the DW Highway but was thwarted by an officer on a routine patrol. Ashley Compagna (pictured), 34, was charged with a host of crimes, Merrimack Police Chief Denise Roy announced Thursday. Compagna was arrested Saturday at the ice cream shop early in the morning — and police said it was actually her second arrest that morning.

Compagna was first arrested shortly after midnight on three felony theft charges, police said. Then, a few hours later at about 6 a.m., an officer on a routine patrol at the ice cream shop saw a hooded figure attempted to break in through a window.

"(The officer) recognized her as Ashley Compagna whom Merrimack Police arrested and charged with three felony thefts earlier that morning," Roy said in a statement. "Ms. Compagna had just been released on bail less than two hours prior. "

Roy added, "The Officer found a window to the business broken and was able to quickly ascertain that Ms. Compagna had no legitimate purpose or permission to be there."

Compagna was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and breach of bail. She was held on $10,000 bail pending an arraignment in Hillsborough County Superior Court.

Photo credit: Merrimack Police Department