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Woman in Stolen Pickup Leads Police in Chase through City

By TWIW Staff | July 6, 2021
Last Updated: July 8, 2021
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WORCESTER – Police dispatched to Lake Avenue for a report of a stole pickup truck from a local company around 8:45 AM on Tuesday, July 6.

Police arrested Johanna Gardel, 38, of Worcester, after a long pursuit. She faces several charges.

A man reported to the responding officer that a woman who he did not know climbed into the pickup truck and drove away. The truck has GPS tracking installed and showed the vehicle near Pelham Street.

While officers were on the way to Pelham Street, a driver flagged them down to report a vehicle struck by the stolen truck on Belmont Street.

Another officer discovered the stolen vehicle on Charlton Street and initiated a traffic stop. As the officer approached the vehicle, Gardel sped away.

The officer continued following the pickup truck to Main Street, where Gardel picked up speed. The officer stopped following the truck and stopped following for safety reasons.

While near 939 Main Street, Gardel crossed into the oncoming traffic lane to avoid traffic congestion and drove into a van. Two officers working a detail and another officer in the area approached to remove her from the vehicle.

Gardel backed the pickup up into the cruiser behind her while knocking down and then dragging an officer. After another short, low-speed pursuit, officers ended the pursuit because of safety reasons.

The injured officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Gardel next went to the drive-through at McDonald’s on Shrewsbury Street. Officers approached in two vehicles. Gardel struck one of the vehicle but went off the road and the truck became stuck in the mulch. Officers then extracted her from the vehicle and placed her under arrest.

Gardel faces charges of:

  • Failure to Stop for Police
  • Marked Lanes Violation
  • Operating to Endanger
  • Red Light Violation
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident w/Property Damage
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident w/Personal Injury
  • Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon (Motor Vehicle)
  • Assault by means of a Dangerous Weapon (Motor Vehicle)
  • Malicious Mischief to Motor Vehicle
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle After Suspension (Driver’s License)
  • Use of Motor Vehicle without Authority

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