A New Bedford man who shoved and stole purses from two elderly Dartmouth women in 2019 has been sentenced to up to three years in state prison, the Bristol County District Attorney’s office announced Oct. 18.

Miguel Brasil, 44, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to two counts each of unarmed robbery and assault and battery on a person over 60, as well as one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The first purse snatching was reported on April 8, 2019 at 9:51 a.m. outside Citizens Bank on Dartmouth Street. An unidentified man was caught on surveillance video pushing a 76-year-old woman to the ground and making off with her purse. 

Brasil fled in a silver Toyota Corolla. Dartmouth Police put out a request to help identify the suspect, which led to a citizen calling into the department and identifying the Brasil and the vehicle he was driving, which was registered to his mother.

The very next day, Dartmouth Sgt. Frank Oliveira saw the car parked at Rite Aid on Dartmouth Street. When circling to get a better look, Oliveira saw Brasil push a 72-year-old woman and pull her purse from her arms before reentering the Toyota in an attempt to flee.

According to the DA’s office, Brasil nearly crashed into Oliveira’s cruiser as he fled. A short chase then ensued in which he struck a Dartmouth police cruiser while attempting to illegally pass other drivers on Grape Street in New Bedford. 

He was then arrested.

During booking, Brasil confessed to both crimes and said he specifically targeted the elderly women, the DA’s office said.

Prosecutors had asked for a four-to-six-year prison sentence, but Superior Court Judge Renee Dupuis ultimately sentenced him to a two-to-three-year state prison term followed by two years  probation.

“I am pleased the defendant was held accountable for his conduct,” District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said. “Preying on our seniors has no place in our society, and a state prison sentence was warranted.”