Breaking: After search, police make arrest in suspicious package case

Police say they’ve arrested a woman who allegedly pulled fire alarms in two Acton stores, left a suitcase in one, and then drove off, only to crash her car in Lincoln before being taken into custody.

First responders headed to Nine Acre Corner shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday in response to a fire alarm sounding at the Dunkin’ at 1641 Sudbury Road.

A woman later identified as April Grueter, 48, of Webster “maliciously” pulled two alarms there before moving on to Nine Acre Farm Convenience & Deli in the same plaza, Police Chief Thomas Mulcahy and Acting Fire Chief Brian Whitney said in a joint statement.

Nine Acre Farm employee Felype Alejandro told reporters he was alone in the store when a woman who looked like she was on her way “to the airport” walked in carrying a bag and immediately went to the restroom.

The fire alarm sounded as she exited the bathroom, Alejandro said. He said she then dropped the bag, said, “A fire is going to start,” and took off.

Alejandro, who’s worked at Nine Acre Farm for roughly 18 months, said he was “kind of scared” by the encounter but avoided touching the bag and waited for first responders to arrive.

As a precaution, nearby businesses were closed, traffic to the area stopped, and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad arrived to investigate.

Officers, including from the Lincoln and State Police, found the woman’s vehicle crashed on South Great Road. Authorities said after a search, she was ultimately located in a wooded area nearby.

Police charged Grueter with disorderly conduct, possession of a hoax device, causing a false fire alarm, and tampering with a fire call box. She was held overnight on $5,000 bail and was scheduled for arraignment Friday in Acton District Court.

The bomb squad determined there were no explosives in the suitcase, and area roads reopened shortly after 10 p.m.

This breaking story has been updated.