NORTHAMPTON — Two women and a man, who make up an alleged bank-robbing trio, each pleaded not guilty to a slew of armed robbery charges in court on Tuesday.
Edgardo R. Rivera, of Springfield, Jahira Flores, of Springfield, and Frances Deleon, of Agawam, all face multiple armed robbery and conspiracy charges stemming from two alleged bank robberies — one in South Hadley and the other in Ware — police said they carried out this Spring.
Prosecutors said one of the alleged robberies took place at Monson Savings Bank in Ware and, before that, at another undisclosed bank in South Hadley.
Rivera and Deleon are accused of participating in both alleged robberies, while Flores stands accused of participating in just the Ware robbery, Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jennifer Suhl said.
Suhl said in court that Rivera, the alleged principal robber, walked into the Ware bank on April 2, his face completely covered, wielding what appeared to be a firearm and demanded cash from all three of the tellers working at the time.
Deleon operated the getaway vehicle, while Flores scouted the locations beforehand and made reservations at a Chicopee motel where the three were discovered by police after the alleged Ware robbery, Suhl said.
Rivera pleaded not guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to five counts of masked armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy; Flores pleaded not guilty to three counts of masked armed robbery and one count of conspiracy; and Deleon pleaded not guilty to five counts of masked armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy.
Judge Richard Carey set bail for Rivera and Deleon at $100,000 cash each, and $10,000 personal surety for Flores.
All three are due back in court Nov. 15.