Norwood Home Burglary-July 24, 1993

Unbeknownst to the residents of this quaint Massachusetts town, a seasoned burglar with a penchant for high-stakes heists was about to be apprehended.

Charles A. Gallant, a 56-year-old man with a long and storied history of crime, had been on the radar of law enforcement agencies for decades. His most notable exploit involved the theft of M-16 rifles destined for the Irish Republican Army in 1976. The brazen heist at the National Guard armory in Danvers resulted in the loss of 92 M-16s, seven air-cooled machine guns, and two grenade launchers.

Gallant’s involvement with the IRA was a mere footnote in his extensive criminal record, which spanned over four decades. His earliest brush with the law occurred in 1954 when he was convicted of assault with intent to rob. This marked the beginning of a long series of prison terms, including an eight-year stint in federal prison and three to five years at the state prison.

On July 22, 1993, he drove a red Firebird through Norwood, carrying a street list, a telephone book, and a cellular phone. He apparently called ahead to ensure the homes he targeted were empty and wore a portable police scanner to avoid detection.

Gallant’s methods were those of a seasoned professional, and his arsenal included a crowbar, which he used to gain entry into the Norwood home in question. The break-in was discovered by a neighbor who reported seeing Gallant entering the residence. Police responded quickly, apprehending him approximately 200 yards from the scene.

The charges against Gallant were severe: breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and possessing burglary tools. Clerk Magistrate Sal Paterna set bail at $250,000 surety or $25,000 cash, citing Gallant’s extensive record as justification for the high amount.

As news of Gallant’s arrest spread, law enforcement agencies throughout the region took notice. Norwood police announced that they would be alerting other departments to Gallant’s methods, warning them about his use of a red Firebird and his penchant for targeting homes with empty streets.

The investigation into Gallant’s activities was far from over. Detective Sgt. William Brooks of the Norwood Police Department stated that they would reopen investigations as a result of this arrest, hinting at potential connections between Gallant’s crimes and other unsolved cases.

Gallant’s lengthy incarceration had not deterred him from continuing his life of crime. His release from prison in 1980 marked the beginning of a new era of high-stakes heists, including the theft of M-16s from the National Guard armory. The authorities were unable to pinpoint exactly when Gallant was released, but it is clear that his time behind bars did little to curb his appetite for crime.

The discovery of over $100,000 in rare coins in safe deposit boxes rented by Gallant added another layer of complexity to the investigation. Police also found a treasure trove of stolen valuables, including Hummel figurines, jewelry, diamonds, coin collections, and rare baseball cards. The sheer scope of Gallant’s thievery was staggering, with police receiving calls from throughout New England and New York from individuals hoping to recover their stolen goods.

The display of thousands of items by the Walpole Police Department in an effort to return the stolen valuables to their rightful owners was a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies. Gallant’s two-month-long evasion of capture, which ended with his arrest for a traffic violation in Groton, Connecticut, only added to the intrigue surrounding this case.

As the investigation into Gallant’s activities continued, one thing is clear: Charles A. Gallant was a master thief with a penchant for high-stakes heists and a long history of evading capture.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger