GARDNER — A 21-year-old Spencer man was arrested after he attacked staff and stole an ambulance from Heywood Hospital Wednesday afternoon.
According to The Ashburnham Fire Department, at about 5:42 p.m., Ashburnham EMS were in Heywood Hospital’s emergency room completing a patient transfer when a man – later identified as Harrison Barjolo – gained access to the emergency room while attacking staff and a civilian. Â
Ashburnham EMS personnel stepped in removing Barjolo from those he was attacking. Barjolo then assaulted Ashburnham’s EMS staff, stole an ambulance, and drove off with it.
While enroute to assist, Gardner police located the ambulance and attempted to pull it over, but Barjolo failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.
Barjolo struck a vehicle as he fled police, driving through Gardner into Hubbardston. He then drove back to Heywood Hospital, where he struck a pole in front of the building.
According to Gardner police, Barjolo fled back into the hospital’s emergency room, where he was taken into custody by police.
Barjolo is being 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).
Gardner police are continuing to investigate the incident.
