Woman Seriously Injured Inside Activated Store Trash Compactor

NEW LONDON, CT — Police and emergency responders called to a Frontage Road supermarket Wednesday found a woman seriously injured and trapped inside a trash compactor that had been activated. Angela Dotolo, 41, is in critical condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital, police said.

New London Police Capt. Brian M. Wright said at 3:19 p.m., an emergency call came in reporting "a person injured inside the store compactor at NSA Supermarket."

Dotolo, whose last known address was 72 Mountain Ave., Apt. 1, in New London, was not a store employee.

New London police and fire personnel found Dotolo, severely injured, inside the commercial compactor. It was apparent that she had been inside the compactor during its operation for a period of time.

The Day reported that she had climbed into the compactor "which has a chute leading from inside the store into a commercial-sized garbage container outside the store."

It's reported that a store employee put cardboard into the chute, turned it on and then heard screaming.

The Day reported police said that NSA employees "had been looking for the woman, who they suspected of having stolen items that included beer from the store." And apparently "lost track of her."

Employees apparently tried to get Dotolo out but could not. First responders managed to free her and she was transported to Lawrence +Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.

Police said the "scene was immediately secured" and detectives from the Investigative Services Division responded to process the scene. The New London County State's Attorney's Office and OSHA were notified, Wright said.

Based on her social media, Dotolo, who lived most of her life in Westerly, RI, is a mother with many friends.

Her family have taken to social media to ask for prayers.

On the New London Police Facebook page, some have shared that they know Dotolo and have explained that she struggles with addiction.

"Very, very sad. Angela used to work for me as a room attendant when I was the manager of a hotel in Mystic. She is a very nice person with a sorted past that just really needed some extra attention with her personal demons. I'll pray for her," wrote Mark Battista. He noted Dotolo "... is a nice person with a heart of gold, just with an affliction of alcoholism. I hope she gets better soon and gets the help she needs."

According to online Connecticut court records, Dotolo has been convicted and spent time in jail for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to appear in court.

Dotolo has a lengthy record in the Ocean State, according to the Rhode Island Judiciary with charges and convictions dating back to 1997.

She has convictions on charges including felony shoplifting, trespassing, cyber-stalking, receiving stolen goods, simple assault, and driving under the influence.

Dotolo also had a number of family court cases, with some files sealed.

The investigation remains active, police said adding that anyone who has information "concerning this incident"is encouraged to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269 ext. 0.