WEBSTER, MA — A Webster man faces 29 criminal charges following a five-month crime spree that began in April and ended in September.
Gavin Barszcz, 30, of Webster, was first arrested on April 17 when Webster Police Department officers assigned to the overnight shift observed him breaking into two vehicles.
Officers found keys and money from the vehicles in Barszcz’s pockets during his arrest.
He was charged with two counts of breaking and entering for a felony, three counts of receiving stolen property, possession of burglarious tools and trespassing.
On June 1, Officer Nicholas Trinque took a report from a victim who stated her motorcycle had been stolen from Prospect Street.
A witness told Officer Trinque they saw the stolen motorcycle behind a dumpster at 3.5 Wall Street.
Officer Trinque, Sergeant Joseph Brooks and Officer Aaron Suss proceeded to 3.5 Wall Street and found the stolen motorcycle with a drilled-out engine, cut wires and fresh damage to its sides.
Officers located Barszcz in an apartment at that location and spoke to him about the stolen motorcycle.
Barszcz admitted to stealing it with his mother in an attempt to sell the motorcycle for money for drugs, according to police.
He was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, vandalize property and conspiracy.
In June, July and August, officers noticed Barszcz with several new motorcycles in his possession.
On more than five occasions, officers attempted to conduct traffic stops on motorcycles Barszcz was suspected to be driving.
None of the motorcycles were registered, one had a fake paper plate attached to it, and officers knew Barszcz did not have a valid driver’s license, according to police.
Barszcz fled from officers at high rates of speed every time they attempted to stop the motorcycles he was driving, police said.
Officers also received information that Barszcz had pointed a handgun at someone while driving one of the motorcycles.
Officer Aaron Suss charged Barszcz with two counts of failure to stop for police, two counts of negligent/reckless operation, two counts of speeding, unlicensed operation, uninsured motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle, concealing a number plate, failure to stop/yield, marked lanes and one way violation.
On Sept. 9, officers assigned to the evening shift responded to 3.5 Wall Street for a report of a man who assaulted a woman.
Barszcz had been arguing with a woman known to him inside an apartment when he threw and smashed glasses onto the floor, resulting in pieces of glass hitting the woman, according to police.
Barszcz also slapped the woman in the face, police said.
He was arrested for assault and battery on a family/household member and assault with a dangerous weapon.
On Sept. 10, Webster Police detectives executed two search warrants at apartments associated with Barszcz.
Over several months, Webster Police officers, detectives and Dudley Police officers became aware that Barszcz had come into possession of a large amount of money.
Through a multi-agency investigation, authorities learned that a home invasion had occurred at an address in Dudley by two masked men armed with a handgun.
During the home invasion, the men stole approximately $250,000 from an 85-year-old woman.
Through interviews and witness statements, detectives and officers learned that Barszcz had been involved with the home invasion and profited anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, according to police.
With the money, Barszcz purchased a Mercedes Benz, an Acura MDX, a CBR1000 motorcycle and a Harley Davidson Street Glide motorcycle, police said.
Barszcz also bought multiple pairs of expensive shoes, high-end watches, drugs and got new tattoos, according to police.
Upon executing the search warrant at two apartments on Wall Street, detectives seized both motorcycles and one of the vehicles.
The other vehicle had already been impounded by another police agency after a traffic stop, police said.
Detective Timothy Whiting charged Barszcz with felony receiving stolen property over $1,200, conspiracy and accessory after the fact.
As of Oct. 21, Barszcz is being held at the Worcester County House
