RI man driving forklift in park, fights, tries to run over officers

Newport Police had a difficult incident on their hands late Tuesday night.

According to Lt. Rosa of the Newport Police, on Wednesday Evening, November 14, 2018 at approximately 10:07 pm, Newport Police Officers were dispatched to Fort Adams State Park for the report of a male with mental health issues who had commandeered a fork lift. Newport Police Officers arrived on scene and learned from witnesses that the male person involved was identified as Ross E. Ahlborg, 27 years of age from 16 Rodman Road, Narragansett.

Witnesses advised Officers that Ahlborg was allegedly suffering from some mental health issues. Additionally, Officers learned that Ahlborg may be in possession of a BB gun as well as a bow and arrows. A short time later, Officers on scene located a large blue fork lift being operated by Ahlborg in the main parking lot of the Fort. As the incident unfolded, Officers reported that Ahlborg had tried to ram their police cruisers. Officers would describe the Fork Lift as being operated erratically and driving at any police cruiser that was near it trying to ram the cruisers with the forks of the fork lift. This incident continued for a period of time and Officers determined that the operator was not going to stop for the Police Officers. Based on the operation of the fork lift, Ahlborg was placing the safety of the officers and any other public in direct danger according to police. The officers continued to follow the fork lift until at some point, the Fork Lift became trapped in the soft grass and subsequent mud on the fields behind the Eisenhower House located on Fort Adams Property. Officers on scene approached the forklift at this point and subsequently broke the glass on the cabin of the fork lift to gain entry. Ahlborg was refusing to comply with all Police orders to exit the Fork Lift at which time Officers deployed a department issued Taser and used it on Ahlborg. Ahlborg continued to resist the officers commands and a subsequent physical confrontation erupted between the Officers and Ahlborg inside the cab of the fork lift. Once removed from the cab of the fork lift, several officers were able to subdue and gain control of Ahlborg and take him into custody. Ahlborg was transported to the hospital for treatment for lacerations to his head, arms and hands.

After Ahlborg’s release from Newport Hospital, he was transported to the Newport Police Department where he was processed and held overnight on the following charges;

Six Counts (6) of Felony Assault with a Dangerous Weapon or Substance

One Count (1) of Driving without Consent of the Owner (Motor Vehicle Theft)

Three Counts (3) of Vandalism/Malicious Injury to Property (Fort Adams State Park Property)

Ahlborg will be presented in Newport District Court today for initial arraignment on the above charges.

One Officer was treated and released from the Newport Hospital for a minor injury during this incident.