NORTHAMPTON — A Holyoke man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to a violent armed robbery in the parking lot of the Northampton Walmart last year.
Andrew Soltren, 28, admitted to charges in Hampshire Superior Court on Tuesday including armed robbery, aggravated witness intimidation, conspiracy and malicious destruction of property. Superior Court Judge Jeremy Bucci handed down a sentence of 4½ to 5 years in prison, followed by two years of probation.
The ruling came after a joint recommendation from Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington and defense attorney Thomas Glynn.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on July 14, 2024, when the victim, a Northampton resident, was leaving his job at Walmart shortly after 11 p.m. Soltren then struck the victim, who was riding an electric bicycle through the parking lot, with his vehicle. This caused the victim to fall, at which point Soltren exited his vehicle, repeatedly punched the victim, and stole his wallet containing a significant amount of cash along with his cellphone. The victim was hospitalized for injuries sustained in the attack.
The following day, Soltren used the stolen money to purchase a used car and fled to Florida. He was apprehended on Aug. 15, 2024, and extradited to Massachusetts to face charges.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped additional charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and money laundering.
Judge Bucci also imposed probation conditions requiring Soltren to stay away from the victim, avoid the Northampton Walmart property, and pay restitution for the damaged bicycle and stolen items.
“This violent and premeditated crime was largely solved by the Northampton Police Department’s relentless efforts in pursuing digital evidence that pointed to Mr. Soltren,” said Covington in a statement. “The Commonwealth credits the NPD, specifically Detective Kevin Cook for the work done to bring justice to the victim.”
Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.
