GREENFIELD — Two men were airlifted to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Tuesday night after jumping off a bridge in neighboring Montague following an attempt to rob an ATM at a Greenfield laundromat.
The suspects, Greenfield Police Chief Todd Dodge said in an interview Wednesday, were spotted on security camera footage breaking into the change room at Village Shops Laundromat on the French King Highway at approximately 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Dodge said the two men had attempted to use an acetylene torch to break into an ATM within the business, and upon police arrival at the laundromat, hopped into a van and fled.
“We showed up, they ended up trying to flee. They jumped into the van and led a short pursuit down Turner Falls Road, resulting in a crash at the bridge,” Dodge said. “At the bottom of Turners Falls Road [entering Montague], they bailed out of the van, tried to run, and at one point in an attempt to get away, they jumped over the railing, apparently not understanding just how far down that was.”
Turners Falls, Montague Center, Bernardston and Greenfield firefighters responded to the White Bridge in an effort to rescue the two men, according to the Turners Falls Fire Department. The Western Massachusetts Regional Technical Rescue Team also responded.
Dodge said both suspects were from the Hampden County area, and while one was able to talk to first responders after being extricated from the water below, the other was in much more serious condition.
“We appreciate the quick response in an attempt to try to help the victim, but then also a quick response by all emergency responders, police, fire, etc., for their rapid response to a technical rescue, which probably ultimately saved their lives,” Dodge said. “It looks like the place where they jumped off the bridge was extremely high up. I’m guessing, based on the fact that it was dark and they’re not from the area, they didn’t realize just how far that was. Both of them, I believe, are lucky to be alive, and it’s definitely attributed to the response they got.”
While Dodge said he is uncertain the exact list of charges the two individuals are expected to face, he said they will likely be charged with breaking and entering, attempting to break into a depository, along with possible motor vehicle and theft charges. He said police have not yet been updated on the suspects’ conditions.
Laundromat owner Jack Dunphy, in an interview Wednesday, said he believes the men made off with only $300 from the ATM. While the suspects did only minimal damage to his business, he said he is grateful to the police for their quick response.
“I didn’t catch the break-in to the ATM on my camera, but clearly it was broken open and there was a burn mark on the floor,” Dunphy said. “I thought the police did a super job. They were quick and professional and I couldn’t have expected more than what they did.
“The damage was nothing that was extensive. I understand that the thieves got [airlifted to the hospital], so it seems like a high price to pay for really getting nothing,” Dunphy added. “They did not get into my change machines. They got very little, and then got apprehended. It’s a sad, sad situation.”