CONCORD — On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at approximately 7:12 p.m., the Concord Fire Department was dispatched to the Dunkin’ located at 1641 Sudbury Road following a report of a fire alarm activation.
According to a statement from Concord’s Police Chief Thomas Mulcahy, when first responders arrived on scene, they discovered that two manual fire alarm activation devices in the Dunkin’ had been “pulled maliciously by a woman,” who then left the establishment.
“That same woman then went next door to the Nine Acre Farm Convenience Store, where she made threatening statements,” Chief Mulcahy said.
The woman then left a suitcase inside the store and then fled in a vehicle.
“The convenience store and Dunkin’ were both closed, and all businesses within 300 feet were evacuated as a precaution while a State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene to evaluate the suitcase.” Chief Mulcahy said. Adding, “While Concord Police and Fire secured the stores with assistance from mutual aid partners, they also began searching for the suspect who left the suitcase behind, and located her crashed vehicle on South Great Road in Lincoln a short time later.”
The woman fled the vehicle, but police located her shortly afterward in a nearby wooded area.
The woman was identified as April Grueter, 48, of Webster. She was arrested and charged with the following:
- False Fire Alarm
- Tampering with a Fire Call Box
- Disorderly Conduct
- Possession of a Hoax Device
The State Police Bomb Squad determined that the suitcase did not contain any explosives or incendiary devices.
While the incident was ongoing, the Acton and Bedford Fire Departments provided station coverage for Concord. Police assistance at the scene came from Sudbury, Maynard, Acton, and Lincoln, along with the Massachusetts State Police.
Grueter was held overnight on $5,000 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Concord District Court.
