Police: Man nabbed for DWI minutes after theft

Daniel Wilson

ROCHESTER - A transient who stole money from a gas station safe on Saturday was later arrested for drunken driving after crashing his car on Charles Street, police say.

Daniel Wilson, 27, was charged with theft by unauthorized taking, DWI and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Police got the call for a theft from the Shell Station at 130 Washington St around 2 p.m. and learned after a brief investigation that a male was standing near the counter reading a newspaper, and as the clerk was attending to customers, was able to slip behind the counter and take the money without being seen by the clerk, who was busy with customers.

From the initial investigation officers were able to identify a potential suspect.

Just a few minutes later, around 2:45, Rochester Police, Fire and EMS responded to Charles St near the intersection of Knight St for a report of a motor vehicle accident. Police say Wilson was operating a 2005 Ford Focus traveling from Knight Street onto Charles Street traveling northwest when it crossed the double yellow center line striking a 2011 Chevy Equinox which was parked on the side of the road legally.

Wilson was identified as the suspect from the earlier theft from the Shell Station.

He refused bail and is being held at Strafford County Jail pending an arraignment at Rochester District Court on Monday.