TEWKSBURY — Chief Ryan Columbus reported that Tewksbury Police Department officers swiftly located and apprehended a dangerous individual who had escaped from Tewksbury State Hospital on Monday, May 20.
At about 9:45 a.m., Tewksbury Police responded to a call from the state hospital reporting a missing patient who was court-committed and had a history of violence, including arson, sexual assault, and various assaults and batteries, some involving elderly victims.
The escapee had previously fled the facility on three occasions.
Using a drone unit, police found the patient within 20 minutes on the train tracks behind Bella Woods Condos at 800 East St. The individual was then transported to Saints Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation in accordance with Section 12.
Due to the rapid location and capture of the patient, a code red notification was deemed unnecessary.
“I am grateful that officers were immediately relayed the information so that we could track this person down,” said Chief Columbus, acknowledging the efficiency and effectiveness of the police response.
