Police Arrest Westford Man Accused Of Spitting On Hikers

WESTFORD, MA — A little more than a week after two women reported a man charged at them and spat on them because they weren't wearing their mask outside on a hike in Ashburnham, police said they have found and arrested the person they believe was responsible.

Ashburnham police said Hale Powell, 71, of Westford, was charged with false threat of a biological agent, and assault and battery.

On Saturday, police released a cellphone video of the man, which shows him walking past the women, and telling them to put on a mask. The women and the man got into an argument about wearing masks, the man called them selfish and irresponsible for not wearing masks, and started to walk away before turning back and coming to spit on them. He told them he had COVID-19.

Police said after they released his image and the video, they received a number of tips about the identity of the man.

Previously: 'I Have COVID' Man Says Before Spitting On Hikers In MA