BURLINGTON — A Lowell man with a lengthy criminal history, which included a prison sentence for repeatedly abusing an ex-girlfriend several years ago, is once again in trouble with the law, this time for an alleged armed robbery in Burlington.
John Michelin, 52, is accused of robbing a hotel clerk last week while brandishing “an unknown blunt object,” according to the Burlington Police Department. No one was injured during the incident.
At about 4 a.m. March 21, police were alerted to the hotel on Wheeler Road about a masked suspect who threatened the clerk before stealing approximately $300. An investigation into the incident led police to a neighboring hotel, where the suspected robber had fled.
The following day, police executed two search warrants in relation to the robbery and placed Michelin under arrest. He is charged with armed robbery while masked, and possession of a Class B substance.
Michelin was arraigned on the charges in Woburn District Court, where he was held without bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court for a dangerousness hearing on Thursday, which will be used to determine if he should remain incarcerated as the case progresses in court.
Michelin’s attorney, Kara Fratto, declined to comment about the case.
In November 2017, Michelin was sentenced in Middlesex Superior Court to two and a half to three years in prison, and five years of probation, after pleading guilty to more than a dozen charges related to the abuse of his ex-girlfriend.
According to court filings, in one incident of abuse, Michelin threw a bowl of hot spaghetti at the victim and then beat her with the bowl.
Court filings state in another incident, after the victim ended her relationship with Michelin and moved in with a friend, Michelin showed up at the friend’s house, smashed the friend’s phone when she tried to call 911, and repeatedly punched the friend.
Michelin ended up pleading guilty to five counts of intimidation of a witness, four counts of assault and battery on a family or household member, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and one count each of kidnapping, stalking, assault and battery, and vandalizing property, according to court records.
Michelin faced a lengthier prison sentence, but his attorney at the time, Ryan Sullivan, argued that probation was the best way to force Michelin to deal with the drug addiction that drove his actions. While on probation, Michelin was ordered by a judge to complete a certified batterer’s program, undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluation and get recommended treatment, and consume no alcohol or drugs.
In June 2021 — while on probation for the aforementioned crimes — the Tewksbury Police Department revealed an arrest warrant had been issued for Michelin after they received information that he was allegedly trying to illegally purchase a gun. His warrant included the charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, stalking, intimidation of witness, assault and battery, and vandalizing property.
Police said officers located Michelin operating a vehicle in Tewksbury and arrested him. While no gun was found on his person or in his vehicle, Columbus said that Michelin told the officers, “if I had a firearm on me, this stop wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
Court records show Michelin has previously been convicted of charges including armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob, violation of restraining order and other domestic charges.
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