The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced a Massachusetts man entered a guilty plea to charges stemming from the armed robberies in late 2020 of three convenience stores in Lowell and Tewksbury.
According to a Department of Justice news release, Michael Vangpa, 33, of Dracut, Mass., entered the plea July 21 in connection with the armed robberies at the three stores on Dec. 24, 2020. He also reportedly entered guilty pleas to using a gun in a violent crime and interfering with business by robbery.
“Mr. Vangpa’s acts of violence spread panic across the communities he violated and terrorized by committing multiple armed robberies. Residents should be able to visit their local businesses without fear,” U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a news release.
In August 2021, the defendant received a criminal complaint, and a federal grand jury then indicted him in October 2021. According to the news release, U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorkin set an Oct. 14 sentencing date.
Special Agent Joseph R. Bonavolonta, who is in charge of the FBI’s Boston division, noted Vangpa’s robberies occurred within an hour, and that by using a gun he scared the clerks and was a public menace, according to the release. He also noted getting violent criminals from the streets is a top priority in his office.
James M. Ferguson, a special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston division, noted armed robberies stoke fear among citizens and the ATF is committed to ensuring that communities are save and offenders are held accountable, the release reported.
