A Spencer man is facing charges connected to the theft of an Ashburnham ambulance from Heywood Hospital, according to the Gardner police.
According to a news release from Sgt. Jeffrey LaBonte, 21-year-old Harrison Barjolo of Spencer is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, operating to endanger, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, assault and battery on an elder, assault and battery on ambulance personnel, and simple assault and battery, as well as other motor vehicle charges.
According to a separate news release from Ashburnham Interim Fire Chief Chris W. Conrad, Ashburnham emergency medical service personnel were at the hospital emergency room at 5:42 p.m. Wednesday, after transporting a patient. They said an “unrelated unknown male” attempted to enter the area, assaulting staff and a civilian.
Police said the man then assaulted EMS personnel after they stepped in, before escaping and stealing their ambulance.
LaBonte said Gardner police responded to a call from the hospital and attempted unsuccessfully to stop the stolen ambulance, which were called and attempted to stop the ambulance, which he said later struck another vehicle. At that point, LaBonte said, a Gardner police stopped to render aid, and other police agencies joined the pursuit.
Conrad’s news release said the pursuit included police from Ashburnham, Hubbardston and Rutland, in addition to state police, and that multiple vehicles were struck.
The suspect, whom LaBonte identified as Barjolo, eventually drove back to the hospital, striking a pole in the ambulance bay before running back into the hospital, where he was arrested.
The ambulance was heavily damaged, Conrad said.
The investigation is continuing.
