Driver Charged After Gazebo Destroyed

PORTSMOUTH — Lareen Mahmoud Abdallah, 20, of Portsmouth, turned herself into police on Saturday in connection with a complaint reported on Aug. 11.

According to the police report, the manager of an apartment complex notified authorities in August because a large gazebo on the property had been destroyed.

Witnesses said around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 11 they heard a man and woman arguing in the parking lot. A witness also saw a dark colored Jeep near the gazebo and then driving away.

Police interviewed witnesses and a juvenile and ultimately issued a warrant of arrest for Abdallah, who is being charged with a felony and obstructing an officer in the execution of his duty.

According to the police report, officers contacted her about her car, which was suspected of having crashed into the gazebo, and asked to inspect it. She allegedly told them she was driving the car and would be at the apartment complex, but when police arrived, they did not find the car, they said.

Police also allege she told them the damage on the car happened before she bought it.

However, another witness told police he had been locked out of his residence at the apartment complex and asked her to pick him up. She arrived, but her dog jumped out of the moving car and was struck. Then she exited the vehicle to retrieve the dog, but the Jeep moved forward and struck the dog again. Then, he said, they both ran after the fleeing dog, and the car again moved forward, this time into the gazebo.

Police said they have no other suspects in the case.