Woman Leads Wareham Police on Chase After Alleged Shoplifting

WAREHAM — A woman who allegedly stole less than $30 worth of goods from a pharmacy before leading police on a nearly two-hour chase, including crashing into a cruiser, has been placed under arrest.

Wareham Police say that on Wednesday, July 24 at 2:09 p.m., they were requested to respond to the Rite-Aid at the Wareham Plaza for a shoplifting in progress. Police say the female suspect fled the parking lot in a blue Nissan, driving very erratically westbound on Marion Road just prior to the arrival of an officer.

Within a few minutes, Officer Zena Kelsch located the vehicle in the parking lot of the Woods at Wareham apartment complex. According to police, the suspect spotted Kelsch’s cruiser and drove in reverse at a high rate of speed through the lot, colliding with the cruiser. The two vehicles were hung up on each other on Swifts Beach Road for a few moments, before Officer Kelsch ran to the car and attempted to open the door, ordering the suspect out. The suspect freed her vehicle from the collision and sped off onto Littleton Drive, where she abandoned the car and fled into the woods.

Officer Kelsch was not injured in the crash.

While multiple Wareham Police units were responding as back-up, Sergeant Kevin Reilly was involved in a serious collision with his cruiser at the corner of Swifts Beach Road and Marion Road. He was transported to Tobey Hospital with minor injuries.

Other Wareham officers set up a perimeter, assisted by the State Police and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. After an extensive search, Officers Christopher Corner and Joseph Cardoza located the suspect on Camardo Drive, placing her under arrest.

Police searched her person and her vehicle, discovering what was believed to be powder cocaine, crack cocaine, Suboxone and Gabapentin. A digital scale and $921 in cash were also found by the officers. The items stolen from Rite-Aid, valued at $28.66, were recovered as well.

The suspect, 41-year-old Tammi L. Denwood of Randolph, is charged with shoplifting’ failure to stop for police; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; operating after suspension of a driver’s license; marked lanes violation; disorderly conduct; disturbing the peace; resisting arrest; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; two counts of possession of a Class B drug; and possession of a Class E drug.

Denwood is expected to appear in Wareham District Court on Thursday morning.

--Information from a Wareham Police press release was used in the compilation of this report.