Alleged Carjacker Will Face More Charges

This story was written by John Castelluccio.

The last thing you might expect when coming to the aid of a person struggling with a car thief is to have your own car stolen instead. That's exactly what happened to one Good Samaritan outside Stop & Shop Wednesday morning.

Rosemaria Guarino, 31, of 20 Crane Ave., Peabody, was arrested that afternoon after leading police on a chase from the supermarket through Salem in a stolen red Chevrolet Prizm. Guarino was apprehended in downtown Salem and charged on multiple counts, including operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

After completing their investigation of the initial incident, Peabody police say Guarino allegedly tried to steal a car parked in the fire lane outside Stop & Shop shortly before 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

She was confronted by the owner and a struggle ensued. Meanwhile, another driver had stopped to render assistance. It was at that point that Guarino ran to the second car, got inside and drove off.

According to department spokesman Detective Michael Crane, as officers initially responded to the 911 call, off-duty Sgt. Richard Girolimon spotted the suspect vehicle and began following it into Salem.

Peabody and Marblehead police assisted Salem in the ensuing chase and search for the vehicle, and it was reportedly a Marblehead officer that finally took her into custody.

In addition to the charges brought by Salem police, Guarino is being charged by Peabody police with assault and battery, carjacking (two counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and negligent operation of a vehicle.

Police say she is currently being held pending evaluation. No arraignment date has been scheduled.