Police: Ambulance driver fabricated assault story

EAST BRUNSWICK - A local ambulance driver was charged this week with filing a false report that there was an attempt to carjack him from his ambulance.

Police were called to the Transmed Ambulance Service station on Milltown Road at 7:37 a.m. Monday when the ambulance driver reported that he was assaulted and his life threatened.

Matthew S. Gasero, 23, of East Brunswick, told police that two men pulled in front of his ambulance as he was exiting in front of the Transmed building, according to township police.

Gasero reported that the passenger in the suspect vehicle got out of the car and pushed Gasero against the ambulance, police said. The suspect reportedly threatened Gasero with a knife, demanding the keys to the ambulance. The driver meanwhile remained in the suspect vehicle.

Gasero reportedly told police that he struggled with the assailant and attempted to defend himself with an expandable baton. He said he was able to strike the assailant with the baton, who then got into the white Honda and fled the area.

Gasero reported pain to his back and head from being thrown against the ambulance, police said.

When detectives arrived on the scene and began interviewing Gasero, they quickly determined that the physical evidence did not match the story being presented by the victim, according to police. Complaining of pain, Gasero was transported to an area hospital and was released a short time later.

Detectives canvassed the area and interviewed potential witnesses, as well as examining the scene for evidence of the struggle reported by Gasero. After he was released from the hospital, Gasero responded to police headquarters for an interview. During the interview, Detective Ed Conlon determined that Gasero had fabricated the incident, police said.

Police learned that Gasero had been trying to force Transmed to improve the exterior security of its building. However, police said they have no indications that Transmed's security is substandard.

Gasero was charged with filing a false report and making a false public alarm. He was released with a court date.

Transmed deferred comment on the incident to the police department. Police spokesman Lt. William Krause said he did not know the status of Gasero's employment with the private ambulance service following the arrest.

Krause said he did not believe that Gasero was supposed to be answering an emergency call at the time of the reported incident.