A local woman has been arrested after breaking into a North Bigelow Street home Saturday evening, then leaving a trail a trail of snowy footprints all the way to her own front door. 

Marlborough Police responded to a 911 call around 9 p.m. when an elderly resident woke to find an intruder in her bedroom. 

"An elderly female reported that someone had broken in to her home and was still inside when she called," said Det. Scott DeCiero. "The reporter observed someone at the foot of her bed and then watched the person flee after yelling out." 

According to police records, the intruder threw the reporter's purse down on the bed and fled the home on foot. When police arrived on scene they observed footprints in a fresh layer of snow that led them to 763 North Bigelow St., the residence of the suspect. 

Shirley A. Souza, 35, of 763 North Bigelow St., was arrested and charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime for a felony after Marlborough Police questioned her at her residence. 

Scanner traffic at the time revealed that Marlborough Police had requested the assistance of a Massachusetts State Police K9 unit, but did not end needing them.  

"They were able to follow the footprints before they got there," said DeCiero.

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