Mark Murray, City Marshal
4 Green St.
Newburyport, MA 01950
For Immediate Release
Friday, June 15, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Newburyport Police Arrest Man Who Walked Away From Hospital and Allegedly Attacked Homeowners
NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray reports that the Newburyport Police Department arrested a man after he allegedly ran away naked from Anna Jaques Hospital, broke into a home and attacked a homeowner with a hammer.
ROBERT J. GIRARD, AGE 26, OF AMESBURY was arrested and charged with:
- Attempted Murder
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Aggravated Burglary
He was additionally held on a Probation Warrant.
On Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 10:49 p.m., Newburyport Police were dispatched to the Emergency Department at Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Ave., for a report of a “walk-away” patient — identified as GIRARD — who allegedly fled the hospital after removing IVs and a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet.
Police began an investigation and started to search for GIRARD.
Then at 2:01 a.m. Friday, officers were called back to the Emergency Department. Upon arrival, officers met a resident of Rawson Avenue, located just feet from the hospital, who stated that a man broke into their homes and attacked her partner with a hammer.
Police located GIRARD on Lois Street, still in a state of undress, and arrested him.
The victim, a 50-year-old Newburyport man, was transported to Anna Jaques Hospital. He was treated and released Friday.
GIRARD was held at the Newburyport Police Department pending his arraignment later Friday in Salem District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
###