ALFRED — A woman, who police say broke into a Lebanon convenience store, stole a safe and then ran it over with a car in an attempt to open it, has been indicted on several charges.

A York County grand jury Nov. 9 formally charged Tatania Gagnon, 32, of Hubbard Road in Berwick with burglary, theft, aggravated criminal mischief, eluding an officer and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incidents at Hometown Mobil on Route 202 Aug. 13.

 An indictment is a finding that enough evidence exists to proceed with prosecution.

All of the charges are Class C felonies,’ and each carry a maximum prison term of five years upon conviction.

Maine State Police allege  Gagnon smashed a side door to Hometown Mobil, stole a safe and then ran over it with a vehicle in an attempt to open it. The safe lodged under the vehicle and was dragged onto North Rochester Road where it became dislodged and was abandoned, according to police.

Gagnon was later apprehended after a high-speed chase.

 Witnesses to the 4 a.m. break-in told police they saw a small blue sedan with New Hampshire plates in the area, attempting to run over the safe. Surveillance footage showed a sole female occupant inside.

About 2 1/2 hours later, while police were still on scene at the convenience store, the vehicle was spotted turning onto Hubbard Road toward Berwick.

Police said the driver led Sgt. Kevin Rooney on a high-speed chase on Hubbard Road, Gradar Lane, Pine Hill Road and finally Ridlon Road where the officer executed what is described as the precision immobilization technique maneuver — where a driver taps a portion of the car, causing it to turn sideways and stop — ending the chase.

Gagnon was arrested and taken to York County Jail where she was originally held on $10,000 cash bail. Following a court appearance, she remains in jail but is eligible for personal recognizance bail with a pretrial contract.

Gagnon is scheduled to appear at York County Superior Court in Alfred on Dec. 14.

Following the break-in, police put out the word they were looking for information  in connection with the theft of a vehicle from a campsite Salmon Falls Campground Aug. 12 after a man said he returned to is campsite that day to find his vehicle missing. 

A worker told police a woman walked up to the gate and asked to be let into the office and use the telephone. Police said she was last seen driving away in the vehicle that was reported stolen and later found on Hubbard Road.

Police at the time said Gagnon faces numerous other charges and that she is a suspect in thefts of vehicles in Rochester and Dover, New Hampshire, and in Lebanon.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com

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