Upstate NY Woman Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Car with 2 Kids Inside

She allegedly kicked a state trooper in the face during her arrest, police said.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:55am

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A 46-year-old woman from the Town of Chenango, New York has been arrested for allegedly stealing a car with two children, ages 8 and 12, inside. The owner of the 2016 Ford Explorer reported it stolen after leaving it running in a parking lot while plowing snow. The owner pursued the vehicle for a mile before getting it to stop and pulling the suspect out of the driver's seat. She then allegedly tried to steal the owner's other vehicle before fleeing on foot. Police later arrested the suspect, Dana Dioguardi, and charged her with multiple crimes including kidnapping, grand larceny, and child endangerment. She was also accused of kicking a state trooper in the face during her arrest.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of leaving a running vehicle unattended, even briefly, and the potential for serious crimes to occur as a result. It also raises concerns about the mental state and criminal history of the suspect, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with uncooperative and violent suspects.

The details

According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, the owner of the 2016 Ford Explorer reported it stolen around 2:20 a.m. on Monday after leaving it running in the parking lot of a Dollar General store while he was plowing snow. The owner said he saw a woman, later identified as Dana Dioguardi, enter the SUV and drive off with the two children inside. The owner pursued the stolen vehicle for about a mile before getting it to stop, unlocking it, and pulling Dioguardi out of the driver's seat. Dioguardi then allegedly ran to the owner's other vehicle and attempted to steal that as well, before the owner pulled her out of the driver's seat. She then fled on foot, but was later found and arrested by deputies around 2:37 a.m. Dioguardi was charged with multiple crimes, including two counts of kidnapping, grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, two counts of child endangerment, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.

  • The incident occurred around 2:20 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2026.
  • Dioguardi was arrested around 2:37 a.m. on the same day.

The players

Dana Dioguardi

A 46-year-old woman from the Town of Chenango, New York who was arrested for allegedly stealing a car with two children inside and kicking a state trooper in the face during her arrest.

Broome County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the incident and arrested Dioguardi.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Dioguardi is being held in the Broome County Correctional Facility, and the judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow her out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of vehicle theft, especially when children are involved, and the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with uncooperative and violent suspects. It serves as a reminder to always secure your vehicle and never leave it running unattended, even for a short time.