ASHBURNHAM — Two Fitchburg men were arrested Friday after a vehicle wanted in connection with a suspected robbery crashed in Ashburnham following a multi-agency police pursuit.
According to Ashburnham Police Chief Chris Conrad, the incident began on March 20, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., when a vehicle wanted in connection with a suspected robbery failed to stop for Orange police. Chief Conrad said the vehicle was being pursued by local and State Police units after it was last seen in Westminster heading north on Route 140.
Ashburnham officers, who were positioned at the Winchendon-Ashburnham town line, saw the suspect vehicle enter Ashburnham at what police described as a high rate of speed.
Chief Conrad said Ashburnham police attempted to stop the vehicle, which continued south on Route 12. Stop sticks were deployed on Route 12 in the area of Lashua Road, the vehicle hit them and continued to Main Street, where the driver lost control at the intersection of Main and Cushing streets. The vehicle struck several curbs and ran off the road in front of 85 Main Street, then struck two parked vehicles at St. Denis Church.
The vehicle’s two occupants got out and fled the scene on foot, but were apprehended almost immediately by Ashburnham police and State Police troopers. One of the suspects was taken into custody behind a building on the Cushing Academy campus.
Orange police later arrived and took custody of both men, who also had active arrest warrants, Chief Conrad said. Both men are expected to face motor vehicle and property damage charges in Ashburnham, along with additional charges in other communities.
Ashburnham police identified the suspects as Echevarria Torres, 42, of Fitchburg, and William De Jese Rodriguez, 37, of Fitchburg.
Westminster, Winchendon, Orange, and State Police all assisted with the incident, Chief Conrad said. One suspect and one officer were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
