A Spencer resident is now facing multiple charges in connection to the theft of an ambulance from Heywood Hospital in Ashburnham. The Gardner police have announced that 21-year-old Harrison Barjolo has been charged with various offenses, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for the 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, simple assault and battery, and other motor vehicle charges.
According to a news release from Sgt. Jeffrey LaBonte, the incident unfolded when Ashburnham emergency medical service personnel were at the hospital’s emergency room on Wednesday evening. They had just finished transporting a patient when an unknown male, unrelated to their operation, attempted to gain entry into the area. In the process, he assaulted both staff members and a civilian.
The situation escalated further when the assailant turned his aggression towards the EMS personnel who intervened. He then managed to escape and steal their ambulance. Gardner police were promptly alerted and attempted to stop the stolen ambulance. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful as the suspect ended up colliding with another vehicle. At that point, LaBonte stated that a Gardner police officer stopped to provide assistance, and additional law enforcement agencies joined the pursuit.
The chase involved police officers from Ashburnham, Hubbardston, and Rutland, as well as state police. Unfortunately, multiple vehicles sustained damage during the pursuit. Eventually, the suspect, identified as Barjolo, drove the stolen ambulance back to the hospital. In a reckless move, he struck a pole in the ambulance bay before fleeing back into the hospital. It was there that he was apprehended by authorities.
According to Ashburnham Interim Fire Chief Chris W. Conrad, the stolen ambulance suffered extensive damage as a result of the incident. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to gather all the necessary evidence.