BOSTON (WHDH) - A Malden woman is facing serious charges after state police say she stole a Malden police cruiser.
Malden Police first issued an alert that its cruiser was stolen from just outside the station’s front door shortly before midnight on Tuesday. A few minutes later, the cruiser was spotted on the Zakim Bridge driving erratically.
A State Police Trooper found the stolen cruiser on traveling south on Route 93 by Mass. Ave and attempted to pull it over, but the woman behind the wheel, later identified as 38-year-old Renelle Sonia, refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.
Sonia did not stop until she reached Victoria’s Diner in Dorchester and that is where she was taken into custody.
“There was no damage to the vehicle, I understand no one suffered any injuries and there was no equipment or anything taken from the vehicle,” Detective Captain Marc Gatcomb confirmed.
According to court paperwork, the cruiser was left with the window down and keys in the ignition. According to a radio transmission of the theft, there was a rifle secured inside.
“Ms. Sonia has an extensive history of mental illness – she has been psychiatrically hospitalized in the past. She has been prescribed psych medications,” Dr. Adeliza Oliveria explained in court.
The court paperwork went on to state that while in custody, Sonia told police that she “beat the FBI” and was in a “torture chamber.”
She is due to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Hours after the incident, the cruiser in question is back in service after being checked out and disinfected.
“If someone needs a ride that bad, if she needed assistance, she could have easily come in the front station and we could have done the best we could to accommodate,” said Gatcomb. “She didn’t have to take matters into her own hands.”
Malden police are still working to determine how this happened, and are pulling security footage to investigate the incident.
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