ASHBURNHAM — On the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, Ashburnham police responded to a report of a disturbance at the Alltown convenience store in South Ashburnham.
According to Ashburnham Police Chief Chris Conrad, upon police arrival, an individual had fled the scene and entered a wooded area nearby, prompting a multiagency search operation.
Officers from the Westminster and Winchendon police departments, along with Massachusetts State Police, assisted Ashburnham police in searching for the individual. The search involved specialized resources, including Ashburnham and regional K-9 tracking teams, drones, and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing.
The coordinated search efforts ultimately resulted in the apprehension of the man, identified as Jacob Comeau-Karlon, 35, of Ashburnham, Chief Conrad said.
As a precaution, students and staff at John R. Briggs Elementary School, Oakmont Regional High School, and Overlook Middle School were directed to remain inside their respective school buildings for a brief period while police conducted the search.
During the operation, officers also established a temporary multi-agency presence in the rear parking lot of Oakmont Regional High School to access the wooded area and safely remove Comeau-Karlon.
“At no point did the situation pose a direct threat to any school campus,” Chief Conrad said.
According to Chief Conrad, criminal charges against Comeau-Karlon will be sought through Gardner District Court.
