Press Release
Two Western Massachusetts Men Charged with Armed Robbery
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
Defendants allegedly involved in at least nine armed robberies of local convenience stores
BOSTON – Two western Massachusetts men were arrested and charged today in federal court in Springfield in connection with at least nine armed robberies throughout western Massachusetts.
Alfredo Aldeco, 32, of Holyoke, and Emilio Rivera, 30, of Springfield, were each charged by criminal complaint with one count of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting. Rivera and Aldeco were arrested today and will appear in federal court in Springfield today at 2:00 p.m.
According to court documents, between Oct. 25, 2018, and Nov. 14, 2018, there were at least nine armed robberies of convenience stores located in Holyoke, Chicopee, Florence, West Springfield, and Agawam. Investigations into the robberies led law enforcement to determine that the same two men were involved in many of the robberies. During each of the robberies, a suspect brandished a distinctive long-barreled, black firearm-type object, and during at least one of the robberies, the suspect threatened to “come back and kill” the store clerk if the clerk called the police.
The charge of interference with commerce by robbery provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Lawrence Panetta, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement. The West Springfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee, Northampton, and Springfield Police Departments provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Updated November 21, 2018
Topic
Violent Crime
Component