Police received a 911 call early this morning from the Derby Corner Mini Mart, located at 3131 US Route 5, reporting that a woman was attempting to break into the store with a long gun. Troopers from the Vermont State Police and deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department responded immediately to the area.
Sheriff’s deputies, already in the area, arrived at the store and encountered the woman attempting to leave in a tan Oldsmobile sedan.
A pursuit was initiated by the sheriff’s deputies and agents from the US Border Patrol, who followed the vehicle north on Route 5 to Derby Line. The vehicle crossed into Canada at the Route 5 Port of Entry.
Canadian authorities continued the pursuit while Vermont law enforcement officers ended their pursuit at the border. Canadian law enforcement pursued the vehicle north towards Coaticook, Quebec. During the pursuit one Canadian police cruiser was rammed.
Ultimately, spike strips were deployed and the suspects vehicle was forced off the road. The sole occupant of the vehicle, Valentina Velasquez, 31, of Newport City, was taken into custody by Sûreté du Québec in Coaticook.
Velasquez was in possession of a firearm. Authorities also determined that the suspects vehicle had been stolen from a residence in Newport City where Velasquez was staying.
Vermont law enforcement are working with Canadian law enforcement in a joint investigation. In Vermont, Velasquez will be charged with Attempted Burglary, Driving while License Suspended, Attempting to Elude, Careless and Negligent Operation, and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle.
In Canada, Velasquez will be charged with Impaired and Dangerous Driving, Armed Assault, and Flight from a Peace Officer. Velasquez is also a suspect in numerous other local burglaries.
Velasquez was transported to the hospital for medical evaluation, but was uninjured from the incident.
Once released from the hospital, Velasquez will be held in Canada until her Canadian criminal charges are completed and then will return to Vermont to face Vermont charges.
