Duo Nabbed For String Of Purse Snatchings In Region

The investigation into a string of purse snatching incidents in Western Massachusetts led to the arrest of two suspects who are wanted for the robbery, the District Attorney announced.

Angel Gonzalez, 34, of Springfield (left), and Derek Michalczyk, 34, of Springfield.
Photo Credit: *Hampden County DA*

Zak Failla

12/01/2021 3:00 p.m.

Two men are in police custody following an investigation into a pair of suspects believed to be behind a string of “purse snatchings” in East Longmeadow, West Springfield, Holyoke, and Springfield in Hampden County.

Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said that Angel Gonzalez and Derek Michalczyk, both age 34 and from Springfield, are facing a host of charges following a rash of recently reported robberies.

Gulluni said that Gonzalez was arrested at 2:50 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 29 after members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit located him in Hampden County.

He was taken into custody by members of the Springfield Police Department, US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section on the 700 block of Worthington Street in Springfield.

Both Gonzalez and Michalczyk were charged with:

Unarmed robbery and larceny from a person;
Assault and battery on an elderly/disabled person;
Larceny from a person over the age of 65;
Unarmed robbery of an elderly person;
Assault and battery on an elderly/disabled person with serious injury.

  “I would like to thank the investigators who swiftly investigated these incidents and identified these suspects," Gulluni stated.

"In particular, Det. Michael Ingalls of the East Longmeadow Police Department, who has also been assigned to my office’s SAFE Unit, and Det. Jay Parnell of the Holyoke Police Department, for their skill and thoroughness in this investigation.

"Law enforcement will respond forcefully to anyone who targets vulnerable people.”

Gulluni said the investigation was conducted by:

Hampden District Attorney’s SAFE Unit;
East Longmeadow Police Department;
Holyoke Police Department.

Both Gonzalez and Michalczyk were scheduled to be arraigned this week. Gulluni noted that the string of robberies remains under investigation by multiple jurisdictions in Western Massachusetts, and further charges are potentially pending.

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