News Release

TEWKSBURY — Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department apprehended a man who walked away from the Tewksbury State Hospital. 

On Thursday, June 27, at about 3:30 p.m., Tewksbury Police were notified that a male patient had walked away from the Tewksbury State Hospital at 365 East St.

Multiple officers responded and learned that a male patient who was staying at the hospital under court order had run away from campus while being transferred from Lowell General Hospital. The patient has an extensive criminal record that includes charges of assault and battery on police officers. 

Tewksbury Police distributed a photo of the male to all officers and deployed both K-9 Units and all-terrain vehicles to assist a search. Police also used the CodeRED system to notify residents of the ongoing search. 

A resident of Mitchell G. Drive contacted police at about 4:30 p.m. to report that a man fitting the suspect’s description had asked him for a ride to Lowell. Officers soon located the missing male at a nearby business at 1880 Main St. 

The male ran away when he was contacted by officers, but was later taken into custody in the parking lot of a local business. No one was reported injured.

The male was returned to the custody of the Tewksbury State Hospital.

“Although a recent security assessment was performed at the Tewksbury State Hospital, and it appears that the state is going to be moving forward with addressing our security concerns, it is unsettling that these incidents continue to occur. I’m grateful for the swift action by our officers to flood the area, protect our recreational areas and parks, and apprehend this individual.”

The CodeRED system provides the Tewksbury Police Department the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire Town, and it has been used repeatedly to notify residents of walkaways from the state hospital. The system is an opt-in system, and residents must sign up to receive notifications. 

To learn more about CodeRED, or to signup, visit: https://tewksburypolice.com/codered/

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