LEOMINSTER — On Sunday, April 12, 2026, at approximately 5:49 p.m., Officer Tyler Labell of the Leominster Police Department was heading to the Ultra Mart gas station for a civil matter, when other officers were dispatched to an active breaking and entering at Premier Motors, a car dealership at 322 Central Street.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Tyler Labell and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“I was coming up on that address and advised that I would go out there first because of the active crime taking place,” Officer Labell said, adding that dispatch stated a female had broken into the building and had a bunch of keys in her hands.
“I pulled into Premier Motors in marked cruiser #5 and recognized Nicole Von Thien coming out of the front door,” Officer Labell said.
According to police, Nicole R. Vonthien, 36, is a resident of Fitchburg, MA.
“Nicole was arrested earlier today by us and had just been released,” Officer Labell said. “Nicole started walking towards the cruiser.”
Officer Labell exited his cruiser and asked Vonthien to put her hands up.
“Nicole stated that we had all of her stuff and began walking away from me towards the back of the building. I advised Nicole to stop walking away and she did not,” Officer Labell said.
Officer Labell said that when he told Vonthien to stop moving because she was going to be detained, she ran away from him behind the building.
“I began to chase after her, and she went all the way around and started sprinting towards Route 12. Route 12 had heavy traffic at this time of day,” Officer Labell said. “I ran after Nicole, grabbed a hold of her arms to prevent her from going into the roadway. I then asked her to face away from me. I told Nicole she was being detained and to put her hands behind her back and I placed her in handcuffs. I escorted Nicole back near cruiser #5 when other officers had arrived.”
Officers Nicholas Rice and Robert Connors then stayed with Vonthien while Officer Labell conducted his investigation.
“There was a female standing in the parking lot of Edible Arrangements, which is next door. She came forward and identified herself as the caller, Angela [last name redacted],” Officer Labell said. “Angela stated that she was coming out of work when she noticed Nicole on the lot. When Angela noticed Nicole, she picked up a rock. Nicole then lifted the rock while looking at Angela as though she was going to throw it at her. Angela stated she was in fear of Nicole.”
Officer Labell said Angela stated that Vonthien then carried the rock over to the building and attempted to get in through the front door but could not.
“Angela stated that Nicole then went around the side of the building,” Officer Labell said. “Angela then stated Nicole was inside the building, and saw Nicole with multiple sets of keys in her hands.”
Officer Labell said he asked Angela if she knew who the owners were, and Angela stated she may be able to get ahold of them.
“I also asked dispatch if we had a phone number for the owners. Dispatch stated that she was able to get a hold of the owner Reine Djordjevic but she was in Boston at this time,” Officer Labell said. “Reine stated that an employee, Socheat Tang would be coming down. While waiting for Socheat, I checked the building for any breaks. There was nothing broken, but I noticed a rock in front of the window on the right side of the building. I checked the window and it was unlocked.”
Officer Labell said Tang arrived on scene soon after. He said he and Socheat entered Premier Motors while Tang had Djordjevic on FaceTime, and they looked around to determine whether anything was missing.
“At this time, Reine and Socheat did not notice anything missing or broken. Reine stated that she is watching the video surveillance,” Officer Labell said. “Reine stated that Nicole did climb through the window. I advised Reine to get me the video surveillance when she can, and left my email with Socheat to give to her.”
Officer Labell went back outside and spoke with the street supervisor, Sergeant Ny Mao.
“I advised Sergeant Mao of everything and stated that Nicole is arrestable for assault with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering with intent, and he agreed,” Officer Labell said.
Officer Labell said he asked Officer Rice and Officer Connors if one of them could transport Vonthien to the police station for booking. He said he then asked Sergeant Mao for the supervisor phone to take photographs.
Officer Labell said he took a photograph of the rock in front of the window, which appeared out of place. He said he also took a photograph of the exterior of the window Vonthien entered through.
“Socheat locked the building up and left the area,” Officer Labell said. “Reine then called dispatch and stated she noticed Nicole steal a set of Mercedes keys in the video.”
Officer Labell said he checked the area outside to see if he could find the keys, but did not locate them. He said he then asked dispatch to find out whether Djordjevic wanted Tang to return and open the building.
“I did not hear anything back and went back to the police station to call Reine,” Officer Labell said. “Reine stated over the phone that Nicole had returned the keys before police arrival. I advised Reine to email me the videos she has of Nicole breaking in, and inside the building, so I can attach them to the report.”
Nicole Vonthien, 36, of Fitchburg, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Breaking & Entering Daytime for Felony: (“Intent to steal Motor Vehicle,” Officer Labell said.)
- Assault with Dangerous Weapon: (Rock)
- Attempted Larceny: (Key fob(s) for motor vehicle)
Vonthien was arraigned in Leominster District Court on April 13, 2026. Following her arraignment, she was released on $1,000 cash bail under the condition that she stay away from Premier Motors.
Vonthien’s next court date is a pretrial conference hearing scheduled for May 14, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in April, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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