A Gainesville man has been arrested in a string of purse snatchings.

John Albert Glean, 30, has been charged with armed robbery, battery, aggravated assault and robbery sudden snatching.

The Gainesville Police Department has been investigating several robberies involving purse snatchings since early January.

The most recent ones took place Jan. 26 on Shallowford Road and Limestone Parkway, occurring within a half hour of each other.

“The incidents were occurring at random times and places throughout the city,” said police spokesman Cpl. Kevin Holbrook. “We have had at least a half-dozen purse snatchings/robberies this past month.”

Guns were involved in many of the incidents.

“They have either been presented or the threat of use was presented,” Holbrook said.

After developing leads in the case, investigators obtained warrants for Glean’s arrest, which took place Thursday night on Ed Henson Road, which is off Clarks Bridge Road.

Holbrook wouldn’t release any details or information about leads that led to the arrest.

Glean is being held without bond at the Hall County Jail. His committal hearing, where evidence is presented and a determination made as to whether the case should go to trial, is set for Feb. 18, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks.

Holbrook did say the investigation into the purse snatching “is still active at this time.”