Webster police arrest man after overnight vehicle break-in spree and foot chase

WEBSTER — On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at approximately 2:41 a.m., Officer Sean Ebbeling of the Webster Police Department was conducting a proactive directed patrol in the area of North Main Street and Upland Avenue in response to 20 reported vehicle break-ins in the area since January.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Statement of Facts of Officer Ebbeling and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“Since January of 2025, the Webster Police Department has taken approximately 20 separate reports of vehicles being broken into during the night hours,” Officer Ebbeling said. “A large majority of these incidents have taken place on North Main Street, Upland Avenue, Pearl Street, Railroad Avenue, and Market Street. All of these streets are within an estimated quarter of a mile of each other, with North Main Street being the primary roadway to access the other above mentions streets.”

In addition to the vehicle break-ins, Officer Ebbeling noted that two vehicles had been reported stolen—one from 225 North Main Street and another from 14 Railroad Avenue.

“While conducting this directed patrol, I observed a male party, later identified as Mr. Gavin John James Barszcz, wearing gray sweatpants, a black sweatshirt, and white and red shoes, walk from Market Street onto Railroad Avenue,” Officer Ebbeling said. “I then observed Gavin begin walking south on North Main Street in the direction of Upland Avenue. During this particular time of night, the roadway is dark and contains minimal lighting. A large number of residents who reside in the area, park their vehicles on the side of the roadway, due to there being limited residential parking.”

According to police, Gavin John James Barszcz, 29, is a resident of 66 N Main Street, Apt. [number redacted], Webster, MA.

Officer Ebbeling stated that as Gavin continued walking south on North Main Street, he informed Officer Alex Johnson and Officer Bryan Blomgren of his observations.

“As Gavin arrived in the area of North Main St. and Upland Ave., I lost sight of him and requested Officer Blomgren assist with checking the area,” Officer Ebbeling said.

Officer Blomgren and Officer Ebbeling checked the area for several more minutes but were unable to locate Gavin.

“Having the knowledge of the previous vehicle break-ins on Upland Avenue, I proceeded to travel down Aldrich Street in order to access Upland Avenue from the Slater Street side,” Officer Ebbeling explained. “As I began to travel down Upland Avenue towards North Main Street, I observed Gavin walking on the right side of the roadway in the same direction I was traveling. As I drove passed Gavin, I observed him look at my cruiser, before quickly turning his head forward.”

Upon reaching the intersection of Upland Avenue and North Main Street, Officer Ebbeling took a stationary position in the rear parking lot of Gilbert’s Market, located directly at the end of Upland Avenue.

“Once I was parked in the rear parking lot, I advised Officer Blomgren of my location and requested he drive past Upland Ave and see if he could observe Gavin still walking towards my location,” Officer Ebbeling said. “After traveling past Upland Avenue, Officer Blomgren advised me that he did not observe Gavin and stated he would go around and travel down Upland Avenue from the other side.”

While Officer Blomgren proceeded to the other end of Upland Avenue, Officer Ebbeling observed Gavin approach the driveway of 8 Upland Avenue and quickly walk down it to the driver’s side of a gray 2008 Lexus with Massachusetts plates.

“As Gavin approached the driver’s side door, I observed his upper body lean forward and his right arm raise up in the direction of the door handle,” Officer Ebbeling said. “Gavin’s arm then quickly came down as he turned around and quickly walked back to the end of the driveway.”

Officer Ebbeling said Gavin then began to walk back down Upland Avenue toward North Main Street.

“As Gavin approached the driveway of 6 Upland Avenue, which is only approximately 30 feet from the driveway of 8 Upland, I observed him look right at me and my cruiser,” Officer Ebbeling said. “After Gavin saw me, he quickly ran into the driveway of 8 Upland Avenue. Based off of my observations of Gavin, to include him attempting to gain entry into the gray Lexus at 8 Upland Avenue, I developed reasonable suspicion that Gavin was engaging in criminal behavior.”

Officer Ebbeling informed Officer Johnson and Officer Blomgren of his observations and requested their assistance in making contact with Gavin.

“Moments later, Officer Johnson, Officer Blomgren and I, approached the driveway of 6 Upland Avenue,” Officer Ebbeling said. “Once there, officers began to check the driveway and side yard for Gavin. The side yard abuts the driveway and is secured with a wooden six-foot privacy fence. As Officer Blomgren and I began to check the driveway, Officer Blomgren advised officers that he had a male party in a van slumped over.”

The van was identified as a gray 2015 Chevy Express G2500.

“Once Officer Blomgren advised officers of his observation, I directed my attention to the inside of the vehicle and observed Gavin slumped over as if he was trying to actively hide from us,” Officer Ebbeling said. “Officer Blomgren opened up the door, at which time Officer Johnson and I instructed Gavin to exit the vehicle. As Gavin exited the vehicle, I grabbed ahold of his shoulder area and instructed him to place his hands behind his back. Gavin was then handcuffed and advised he was being detained and not under arrest.”

Officer Ebbeling stated that both Officer Johnson and Officer Blomgren had numerous prior law enforcement encounters with Gavin and were aware that he did not reside at that address, but rather at 66 North Main Street.

“While speaking with Gavin, I inquired if he lived at 6 Upland Avenue to which he replied ‘Nope,’” Officer Ebbeling said. “This is when Officer Blomgren advised me that Gavin resides at 66 North Main Street. When I asked Gavin what was going on, he replied with ‘Nothing, I’m just looking for change.’ While continuing to speak with Gavin, he stated this was the only vehicle he broke into tonight.”

Officer Ebbeling stated that he informed Gavin he was under arrest and conducted a search of his person incident to the arrest.

“During this search, a black multi-tool that contained a hammer on one end was recovered, which is believe to be used for unlawful entry into vehicles,” Officer Ebbeling said. “Also recovered was a pill bottle containing 12, 40mg Furosemide pills belonging to…the registered owner of the van. Additionally, a key ring with 10 keys and $7.07 in change was recovered from Gavin’s pocket.”

Officer Ebbeling stated that when he retrieved the pill bottle from Gavin, he asked him who the name on the label referred to. Gavin responded with something to the effect of, “It was in the car, the same f*ck*ng car I was just in.”

“When I asked Gavin if the keys were his, he stated something to the effect of. ‘They were in the car and I just went through the change that was in there,’” Officer Ebbeling said. “Gavin was then secured in the rear of my cruiser and transported back to the police station, where he was advised of all applicable rights and booked in accordance to department policy.”

Gavin was charged with the following:

1. Breaking & Entering Vehicle/Boat Nighttime for Felony (two counts)
2. Possess Burglarious Instrument
3. Receive Stolen Property ~$1,200 (three counts)
4. Trespass

Gavin’s bail was set at $500.

Gavin was arraigned in Dudley District Court on April 17, 2025. He appeared for a pretrial conference on May 6, followed by a dispute resolution hearing on May 7. His next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for June 11, 2025.

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in April, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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