Danvers Woman Attacks 72-Year-Old After Parking Dispute

DANVERS, MA -- Police say a Danvers woman attacked a 72-year-old Market Basket customer because she was upset about losing a parking spot around 4:30 pm Saturday. Donna Rowe, 57, of 121 Conifer Hill Drive in Danvers, was arraigned in Salem District Court Monday after being accused of chasing the other driver into the store and hitting her with a handbag. The blow caused a cut over the woman's eye; Rowe's attorney said her client was acting in self defense.

Rowe was reportedly upset that the woman had taken a parking spot she had wanted. A manager at the supermarket told police there have been past incidents involving Rowe and other customers. According to the Salem News, which first reported this story, Rowe has a criminal record that dates back several decades and includes a similar incident in 2001, when she shoved a neighbor with Down syndrome to the ground and claimed self defense.

For more on this story, see the Salem News. Subscribe to Danvers Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

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