TROY BOISSEAU
WESTFIELD – Two city men have been arraigned on burglary charges but most of their loot has been recovered.
City detectives had been investigating a report of a larceny of hundreds coins, bullion and collectible items when their investigation got a boost. A relative of the victims informed them that he had identified a person who had purchased some of the stolen coins.
The relative identified a person he said had purchased some of the stolen coins from the thief and that man, when interviewed by police, was cooperative after he learned the coins he had bought were stolen property.
The man identified the seller of the stolen coins and arranged to meet with the suspect again, ostensibly to buy more of the stolen items.
When the suspect met with the buyer, police were waiting and Det. Daniel Gustafson was in position to overhear the suspect discuss selling the stolen items before he was taken into custody.
The suspect was identified as Troy Daniel Boisseau, 28, of 553 Montgomery Road, a person many city officers are familiar with due to past dealings.
Det. Brian Fanion reports, in a court document, entry to the building was made by removing an air conditioner from a basement window and that a large amount of collectible coins stored in ammunition boxes was stolen.
When Boisseau was interviewed on Dec. 24, Gustafson reports, he confessed that he had been an active participant in the burglary on Dec. 16 and identified Charles L. Mazeralle, 46, of 81 South Maple St., as his co-conspirator.
CHARLES L. MAZERALLE
Mazeralle was taken into custody at his home later that same day and, when he was interviewed, he also confessed to the burglary. He subsequently surrendered what is believed to be the bulk of the stolen items.
The pieces range from copper bullion coins, rolls of circulated and uncirculated U.S. coins, uncirculated and proof U.S. coin sets, commemorative coins to pure silver bullion coins. Gustafson estimated the value of the stolen collection to be about $2,000.
Both men were arraigned Dec. 26 in Westfield District Court before Judge Charles Groce who set bail for each man at $3,500 cash or a $350,000 bond.
In setting bail, Groce noted that each defendant has a lengthy criminal history. He cited Boisseau’s ten-year adult criminal history and Mazarelle’s 30-year history of criminal infractions.
In addition, both men, he wrote, have a history of defaults and Boisseau has a history of probation violations. Boisseau, he noted, is currently on probation for a larceny charge.
In addition, Groce observed, both had confessed to the crime and Mazarelle had been in possession of much of the stolen property.
Both men were initially held in lieu of bail but, after he arrived at the Hampden County House of Correction, a relative posted bail for Boisseau and he was released.
Both appeared in court again on Monday for a pre-trial hearing which, in each case, was continued until Feb. 11.
