High-speed chase in city

Gilmanton woman upset after credit was denied at Lakes Region Casino

By GAIL OBER, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — A Gilmanton woman led three police departments on a wild car chase Sunday before being caught at the drive-up window at McDonald's Restaurant on Union Avenue.

Police said Sherry Giddis of 543 Meadow Pond Road had gone to the Lakes Region Casino on Route 106 in Belmont but lost her temper around 11:03 p.m. when her credit card was denied for her tab.

Affidavits said she left angry and in a hurry, so the bar manager called the Belmont Police to report the theft.

Lt. Rich Mann said his officer was headed south along Route 106 when Giddis passed him headed north near Concord Street traveling around 90 mph. He said his officer turned around and tried to stop her but quickly turned off his lights because of the danger involved in a high-speed chase.

Belmont Police radioed ahead to Laconia Police and a Laconia officer saw the Ford F-150 speeding near Case 'n' Keg on Union Avenue.

At 11:30 p.m., a Gilford officer radioed to police that he was attempting to stop the truck on Lake Shore Road but she allegedly refused to stop and turned onto Lilly Pond Road.

The Gilford officer reported back to Laconia that Giddis had turned on to Weirs Boulevard.

A Laconia officer saw Geddis as she passed through Lake Street still allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed. They reported that while on Weirs Boulevard, she was allegedly drove so fast that she ran a man off the road.

Giddis refused to stop for the Laconia officer who briefly lost sight of her, but noticed red tail lights entering into McDonald's. He followed her, found her in the drive-up window line and ordered her to get out of the car.

She allegedly responded with expletives.

Laconia's Sgt. Bob Cameron joined others and went to the driver's side and ordered her to get out of the car. When she continued to refuse his requests, he went to the passenger side, broke the glass to the truck and gained entry. She allegedly still refused to get out of the truck, so he “extracted” her and placed her in handcuffs. He said she continued to struggle and fight with him.

Cameron said he noticed a strong odor of alcohol on her breath and when he insisted she be medically checked, she allegedly told him she had taken some prescription Vicodin – or an opiate based pain killer – earlier in the evening.

Giddis is charged with one felony count of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon for allegedly running another motorist off the road on Weirs Boulevard. She also faces charges for aggravated driving while intoxicated for allegedly attempting to elude police, resisting arrest for her allegedly struggle with Cameron, and three counts of disobeying an officer. She was ordered held on $10,000 cash only bail.

Mann said Monday that Belmont Police are preparing the paperwork for a warrant for her arrest for theft.

It is not known if she faces any charges stemming from her brief time in Gilford.