BOSTON – A string of nine armed robberies of convenience stores across Western Massachusetts left a trail of fear and destruction, and now one of the masterminds behind the crimes is behind bars. 38-year-old Alfredo Aldeco of Holyoke was sentenced to 13 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the robberies.
Aldeco was also ordered to pay forfeiture and restitution of $7,375. In March 2024, Aldeco pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm in relation to crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The string of robberies took place over a two-week period in 2018, with Aldeco and his co-defendant Emilio Rivera targeting convenience stores in Holyoke, Chicopee, Northampton, West Springfield and Agawam. In each of the robberies, Aldeco held store clerks at gunpoint, making off with almost $8,000 in cash.
The November 2018 robbery was the last in the string, and it was during this incident that Aldeco warned the clerk, “If you call the cops, I will come back and kill you.” The firearm used in the robbery was later found during a search of Rivera’s home – in a bedroom being occupied by Aldeco. At the time, Aldeco was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
Aldeco’s co-defendant, Emilio Rivera, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release on July 6, 2023. The investigation into the robberies was a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts State Police and local police departments in the affected areas.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla, Chief of the Springfield Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
Aldeco’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of committing violent crimes. As he begins his 13-year prison sentence, the people of Western Massachusetts can rest a little easier knowing that one of the individuals responsible for the terror and destruction caused during the string of robberies is off the streets.
The case is a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts, who worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. It also serves as a warning to would-be criminals: if you commit a crime in Western Massachusetts, you will be caught and you will face the full force of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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