A Massachusetts man appeared in court Thursday after he allegedly stole an ambulance in Gardner and led police on a multi-town pursuit this week, according to authorities.
Harrison Barjolo, 21, of Spencer, is facing 20 charges, including assault and battery on an elderly person, assault and battery on ambulance personnel and simple assault and battery. He is accused of attacking a paramedic and a patient.
Gardner police said it all started Wednesday night inside the emergency room at Heywood Hospital, when Barjolo began assaulting hospital staff and other people before jumping into an ambulance and taking off.
"I was with a customer and then an ambulance drove by with 12 cops behind it," said Sean Homer, a convenience store employee.
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Homer said he saw part of the chase, which went through Gardner and Hubbardston. At one point, the ambulance hit a truck along the way.
"All I heard was a bang and it ran into a truck and just kept driving off," said Homer.
One driver shared video of that truck and a boy, heading to the movies, also witnessed the aftermath.
"There was a police chase and the ambulance hit that truck and then it hit the pole," said Hunter Collier.
Police said Barjolo drove the ambulance back to Heywood Hospital, where he crashed into a pole in front of the building. He then ran into the emergency department where officers were able to arrest him, police said.
No serious injuries were reported.
NBC10 Boston spoke with Barjolo's father on Thursday, who said he can't believe his son, an accomplished athlete, would do something like this.
Harrison Barjolo Sr. says he had taken his son for psychiatric help when he escaped.
"I was thinking he just ran outside, running on your feet, running out there, not knowing an ambulance was parked out there. They say he jumped into it was driving around," the older Barjolo said. "He had a mental breakdown. In a sound mind, he wouldn't do that."
Barjolo was ordered to be held on $25,000 bail at a mental hospital. The judge said that while it is clear the defendant is dealing with a mental health crisis, the charges against him are serious.
