ASHBURNHAM — At approximately 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, a vehicle that was reportedly stolen in Princeton, entered Ashburnham after it was observed driving erratically on Route 12 in Westminster by the Westminster police, Ashburnham’s Police Chief Chris Conrad announced in a statement.
“The vehicle is believed to have struck at least one vehicle in Ashburnham, before crashing behind a residence on Main Street and located by Ashburnham Police Department Officers,” Chief Conrad said in the statement. “The suspect then fled on foot to Pleasant Street, before stealing a bicycle from a local business owner in an attempt to avoid capture. The suspect remained in the Central/Puffer/Fairview Ave and Willard Road areas on foot for approximately two hours.”
Units from the Westminster, Winchendon, Fitchburg, and Gardner Police Departments, supported by Massachusetts State Police K-9 teams and air units, responded to the scene to conduct a thorough search of the area.
“During this time, the suspect was seen by several residents and police search teams but evaded apprehension due to the thick wooded terrain,” Chief Conrad said. “The suspect eventually reached Cashman Hill Road, where he stole another vehicle and fled Ashburnham before crashing in the City of Fitchburg where he was quickly taken into custody by the Fitchburg Police. The suspect was later transported to the hospital for an evaluation. Currently, the identification of the suspect is not known.”
No one sustained injuries in this incident. The Princeton, Ashburnham, and Fitchburg Police Departments are expected to file criminal charges once the suspect has been identified.
“Thank you to all agencies who responded rapidly to assist as well as local residents who kept responders up to date on the suspect sightings,” Chief Conrad said.
