Cops nab alleged trail spitter
ASHBURNHAM — Police have arrested a man who is alleged to have approached two hikers on Nov. 14 in an area known as the Hudson Overlook and spit at them because the pair were not wearing face masks, according to a release from the department.
Lt. Chris Conrad said Hale Powell, 71, of Westford was arrested at his home on Tuesday after being identified by members of the Ashburnham and Westford police departments. While the investigation is ongoing, Powell was charged with false threat of a biological agent and assault and battery. The incident in question involved two young women who were hiking on the Midstate Trail when they decided to break off the trail and visit Hudson Overlook, where the Boston skyline is visible, according to the release.
While there, Powell and a woman approached them, and he questioned the two women about not wearing their face masks, according to the release. Powell allegedly explained to the pair that wearing masks is the law and that they were being selfish, according to the release.
In a video one of the women shot with her cellphone, the unidentified older couple walks away, but then Powell, who has by then pulled his mask down, turns back toward the women (while the older woman tries to hold him back) and tells the women that he recently tested positive for “COVID.”
He then began spitting at the women, at least four times, according to the video recording.
In the video, the older woman can be heard calling to Powell and shouting his name as he walks toward the women.
Ashburnham Police Detective Robert Siano said Monday that once the department issued an alert that it was looking for Powell, the department was “inundated” with calls.