SACO — The police department is seeking to use insurance money to buy one replacement vehicle, following an incident that destroyed three police cruisers.

Police say that on July 22, Monique Vallee of Andover, Mass. intentionally rammed three cruisers. Insurance adjusters have declared all three vehicles totaled due to extensive damage.

Police Chief Bradley Paul said at Monday night’s city council meeting the city’s insurance company has given the city the “book value” of the three cars, which is all it’s obligated to do. The total compensation is $28,850, enough to purchase and outfit one new cruiser, he said.

Councilor Leslie Smith asked if the city has gone after Vallee for money for two additional cruisers.

“She’s still in jail,” said Paul. “I think the possibility of getting restitution is fleeting at this point.”

Paul said the purchase of the vehicle will allow the city to retire the K-9 vehicle, which has 135,000 miles. Two other vehicles, which would normally have been retired from front-line duty due to high mileage, will be used an additional year, according to city documents.

Councilor Eric Cote, concerned that the police department is using cars with higher mileage, suggested the city purchase three cars, to replace all those lost.

Paul said the department was “in okay shape” and could get by at this time with purchasing one replacement cruiser.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.