Suspected Bank Robber Pleads Not Guilty

Wilfredo Alarcon, Jr., 42, whose last known address was in Haverhill, but is now believed to be living in Newton, pleaded not guilty today in Lawrence District Court to charges of attempt to commit a crime, to wit, armed robbery while masked, and operating with a suspended license.

Judge Barbara Pearson ordered Alarcon held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, which is scheduled for May 26.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Kunsch told the court that the defendant is suspected in five bank robberies in the Newton/Wellesley area. He is also suspected in a bank robbery in Plaistow, NH, which took place last week.

He was arrested yesterday at 11 a.m. as he was approaching the Sovereign Bank at the Loop in Methuen by members of the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team. He was wearing latex gloves and carrying a pellet gun, with a black, veil-type mask underneath his hat. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Bank Robbery/Violent Crimes Task Force, comprised of FBI agents and Massachusetts state police officers.

The investigation into the bank robberies remains ongoing.

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