Trial delayed for alleged getaway car driver

January 03, 2002

Trial delayed for alleged getaway car driver

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A woman charged with driving the getaway car in three Franklin County bank robberies last August on Wednesday asked for a continuance of her case to the March trial term.

Rhonda A. Martin, 30, of 13361 Main St., Fort Loudon, Pa., is charged with three counts each of robbery, conspiracy and receiving, according to court records.

Martin was listed for the January trial term, but defense attorney Clint Barkdoll said he needed more time.

"Her co-defendant is being prosecuted federally and there are cases in Cumberland County. We need more time to consolidate the information," Barkdoll said.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge John Walker granted the request Wednesday.

Martin and co-defendant John W. Blair, 40, of Fort Loudon, are accused of robbing three banks in Franklin County and four in the Carlisle, Pa., area last summer, court records show.

Martin told police she drove a red Dodge Daytona used in the robberies, according to allegations in the affidavit of probable cause.

The first robbery occurred Aug. 8 just before 3 p.m. at the American Community Credit Union at 380 Floral Ave. in Chambersburg.

The male robber flashed a handgun and demanded money. He fled with about $2,300 cash, the affidavit said.

On Aug. 13 at 2:18 p.m., an armed robber held up the Franklin County Teachers Credit Union at 1156 Kenebec Drive in Chambersburg and fled with about $7,000 cash.

Witnesses saw the man get out of a red Dodge Daytona before entering the bank.

On Aug. 30, employees reported an armed robbery at Frick Federal Credit Union, 127 C.V. Ave., in Waynesboro, Pa.

The robber fled with $4,475, the affidavit said.

Four banks around Carlisle reported armed robberies between Aug. 23 and Sept. 11, all with a male suspect, the affidavit said.

Pennsylvania State Police on the lookout for the red Dodge Daytona stopped Martin and Blair in Cumberland County as they were traveling south on Interstate 81 on Sept. 11, the affidavit said.

They were taken into custody and Martin has provided police with details on the robberies, the affidavit alleged.

- Stacey Danzuso

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