Fitchburg woman arraigned in road rage

FITCHBURG — A woman who allegedly participated with Concepcion Rodriguez in a road-rage incident where shots were fired on Water Street last month was arraigned in District Court on Monday, according to court documents.

Rodriguez, 33, who has been charged with numerous violent crimes and convicted in at least one, has a warrant for his arrest on several charges related to the incident and remains at large. His last known address was in Worcester.

The road-rage incident began at about 11:30 p.m. Friday, June 21, when witnesses reported hearing several gunshots in the area of the A.L. Prime Energy on Water Street When police arrived, the only indication that some type of confrontation had occurred was finding several spent shell casings and began an investigation.

That investigation led to Thayla L. Ovalle, 26, of 44 Clyde St., Apt. 1F, Fitchburg, being identified by the alleged victim of being involved in the road-rage incident, police reported.

According to court documents, Ovalle started the confrontation and then assisted the “principal offender” Rodriguez.

During the incident Ovalle, police reported, made threatening actions toward the 30-year-old victim which ended with Rodriguez “discharging a weapon multiple times at/in the victims (sic) vehicle.

She also assisted Rodriquez in avoiding arrest, police said.

As a result, Ovalle was charged with assault and accessory after the fact, according to court documents. During Ovalle’s arraignment, a dangerousness hearing was held in which Ovalle was determined to not be dangerous by Judge Christopher LoConto.

She was ordered held in lieu of posting $1,500 cash bail or a $15,000 surety bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 23.

When Rodriquez is taken into custody, acccording to police, he will be charged with assault and battery attempted with a firearm, assault to commit a felony, three counts of vandalizing property, one count of second offense carrying a loaded firearm without a license, one count of second offense carrying a firearm without a license, and a firearms violation with two prior violent- or drug-related offenses. In March, according to This Week in Worcester, Rodriguez was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after an altercation at The District Bar and Nightclub in Worcester.

He was also charged in August 2016 in Fitchburg of two counts of armed robbery for allegedly holding up two men at gunpoint, and pistol whipping one, at the Auto Shower Car Wash on Water Street.

The disposition of that case is unknown.

In June 2007, Rodriguez, then 21, was arrested on a warrant charging him with assault with intent to murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, unlawful possession of ammunition without a firearms license and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Those charges stemmed from Rodriguez allegedly firing a weapon into a taxi on Prichard Street in Fitchburg. He was convicted in that case and sentenced to 18 months in prison and two years of probation.

In 2006, according to the Leominster Champion, Rodriguez, then 20, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine subsequent offense and conspiracy to violate drug laws. The disposition of these charges is unknown.

A spokesperson at the Worcester County Jail said Rodriguez is not currently in custody.