GRAFTON – A Worcester woman is facing several charges in connection with trying to cash a fraudulent check at the Homefield Credit Union.
According to Grafton police reports, a dispatcher received a call on Tuesday, March 5, at 3:44 p.m. from the credit union regarding a suspicious female at the drive-thru window attempting to cash what appeared to be a fraudulent/altered check.
When police arrived, an officer reportedly observed the suspect vehicle exiting the HCU lot heading northbound on Worcester St. Police followed the vehicle with their emergency lights and siren activated, but the driver refused to stop. The vehicle did stop at North Main and Waterville Street, but sped off as police approached the car, according to the Grafton Police Department.
The vehicle finally stopped in a driveway on Shrewsbury Street, and the driver attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended, police said. The driver – Karen A. Brunelle, 47, of Worcester – was transported back to HCU, where she was identified by staff.
Brunelle was then transported to police headquarters, where she was processed and placed in a cell.
According to police, their investigation revealed that the check presented to the teller had been reported missing out of Sutton, and the identification and debit/credit cards carried by Brunelle under a different name were reported missing out of Worcester. Officers also reportedly found Class B drugs in the vehicle.
Brunelle was charged with forgery of a check; uttering a false check; identity fraud; attempted larceny by check over $1,200; receiving stolen property less than $1,200 (three counts); negligent operation of a motor vehicle; failure to stop for police; operating with a suspended license; resisting arrest; speeding; trafficking a controlled substance (18 grams or more but less than 36 grams) and possession of controlled substance (two counts).
Brunelle was arraigned in Westborough District Court.
