Trial scheduled for alleged getaway driver

July 03, 2002|by STACEY DANZUSO

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A woman who allegedly drove the getaway car in three Franklin County bank robberies last August is scheduled for trial next month.

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. She was listed this week for a trial without jury on Aug. 12, according to the Franklin County District Attorney's Office.

Martin and co-defendant John W. Blair, 40, Fort Loudon, allegedly robbed 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 the affidavit of probable cause.

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

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

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

Witnesses saw the man exit from a red Dodge Daytona before entering the bank.

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

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

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

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

Blair faces federal charges for the robberies and will not be tried in Franklin County.

Martin had been in Franklin County Prison but was released Monday, according to a corrections officer.

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