Lynn woman indicted on fifth OUI offense

SALEM – A Lynn woman who authorities say had two cans of beer in her car as well as an illegal substance after being caught driving drunk for her fifth time was indicted Wednesday afternoon by an Essex County grand jury.Mary Graciale, 55, of 34 Webster St., #1, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level more than .08 for a fifth time, leaving the scene after causing property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license as a habitual offender and unlawful possession of a Class C substance, Klonopin.The charges arise from an incident in Lynn on April 17 when she allegedly was involved in an accident on Maple Street shortly after 8:00 p.m., but fled from the scene.Police responding to the accident apprehended Graciale a short distance from the scene. She allegedly told police she was drunk and no field sobriety tests were necessary.Police said they discovered a number of Klonopin pills and two cans of beer in the car.Her alcohol blood level was .24, three times the legal limit, according to reports.Assistant District Attorney Jane Prince is prosecuting the case for the state.Also indicted was: Pedro Colon, 22, of 54 Eastern Ave., #1, Revere, charged with armed robbery while masked in connection with the holdup of a 67-year-old Lynn man on Johnson Street on April 9.The elderly citizen told police he was walking along the street in the early morning hours when a man, who was reportedly wearing a bandanna partly over his face, approached him, saying he had a gun and demanding her turn over his ring and cash.Police responding to the scene arrested the suspect nearby.Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Kirshenbaum is assigned to prosecute the case.Indictments are not an indication of guilt: rather it is a legal process that allows a case to be transferred from District Court to Superior Court allowing for a more severe penalty.