DOVER — Police say they have solved an attempted robbery from more than three years ago using forensic evidence, resulting in a Malden, Mass., woman being indicted for the crime.

A Strafford County grand jury indicted Wendy Nichols, 46, on a charge of attempted robbery in connection with the Aug. 20 crime at the Shell station and convenience store, 1 Longhill Road.

According to a news release, at 1:22 a.m. that morning, a masked woman entered the store with two bags and ordered the clerk to fill them with money. The clerk refused and the woman fled the store. No weapon was shown and no one was injured.

Initially, police had no suspects but in January 2011, the department’s Special Investigations Bureau was able to identify Nichols as a suspect using forensic evidence.

Lt. Brant Dolleman said he could not reveal what the evidence was that led investigators to Nichols.

Detectives, however, were unable to find Nichols to arrest her.

Last April, the case was forwarded to the Strafford County Attorney’s Office, which brought it before a grand jury on Sept. 20. The grand jury issued the indictment, determining there was probable cause for the case to go forward.

Nichols, whose last known address is 51 Taylor St., Malden, Mass., has not been arrested but is expected to appear for arraignment Thursday in Strafford County Superior Court.