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New London — Police have identified the woman who was nearly crushed inside a trash compactor Wednesday afternoon as a 41-year-old city resident named Angela Dotolo.

Police Capt. Brian Wright said Dotolo, whose last known address was 72 Mountain Ave., Apt. 1, remains in critical condition.

Police said Dotolo apparently climbed into the outdoor compacting unit from inside the NSA Supermarket at 332 S. Frontage Road. Store employees had been looking for Dotolo, who allegedly stole items including beer from the store, but didn’t find her until an employee put cardboard down a chute, turned the compactor on and heard screaming from inside.

Two store employees tried to rescue her but ultimately a firefighter and a Lawrence + Memorial Hospital paramedic freed Dotolo, who was conscious at the time.

A crew took Dotolo to L+M but she later was transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital.

Wright said police continue to investigate how and why Dotolo was in the compactor. He said it’s too soon to say whether she’ll face criminal charges.

Wright said police have contacted the state’s attorney’s office and the local Occupational Safety and Health Administration's office to help review the incident and try to prevent it from happening again.

l.boyle@theday.com