Worcester – A UMass Memorial Medical Center police officer who was allegedly assaulted by a man who took his police vehicle on Duxbury Road early yesterday was able to chase the suspect down on foot after the man crashed the cruiser into parked cars, according to Police Department spokesman, Sgt. Gary J. Quitadamo.

The suspect, identified as Juan Barbosa, 30, of 14 Duxbury Road, Apt. 15, was charged with assault and battery, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of cocaine, driving to endanger, driving after license suspension, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He is to be arraigned today in Central District Court.

The Umass officer, whom police did not identify, told Worcester police that he was driving down Duxbury Street about 12:45 a.m., when he saw a man in the middle of the road waving as if he needed help, Sgt. Quitadamo said. When the Umass officer stopped, the man opened the driver’s door, struck the officer and pulled him out, he said.

The suspect sped south on Lincoln Street. The Umass officer entered the car of an anonymous driver and they followed the stolen Umass vehicle, observing it swerving and speeding on Lincoln Street, the sergeant said.

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