'South Side Bandit' pleads guilty to 5 armed bank robberies

WOBURN, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A man dubbed the "South Side Bandit" has pleaded guilty to committing five bank robberies in Newton and Wellesley in 2010, Attorney General Martha Coakley said.

Wilfredo Alarcon, 45, of Newton, was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in state prison after pleading guilty Tuesday. He was charged with five counts of masked armed robbery, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of stealing by placing in fear, and attempted masked armed robbery.

Over a period of five months in 2010, Alarcon robbed five banks in Newton and Wellesley. The first bank robbery happened on January 25 at Eastern Bank in Newton. The second incident occurred a month later at Bank of America in Newton, while the third occurred on April 2 at Century Bank in Newton. Alarcon also robbed Village Bank in Newton on April 24 and TD Bank in Wellesley on May 1.

Authorities said Alarcon stole approximately $51,000 in total.

Investigators said Alarcon would typically enter the banks with a black mask over his face, a hoodie or baseball cap, latex gloves, and an apparent semi-automatic weapon, which was ultimately revealed to be an air pistol. He would then demand large bills from the bank workers, at times ordering others on the ground, and use threats of violence until he was given the money.

Alarcon was arrested on May 20, 2010 in Methuen by the authorities as he attempted to rob a Sovereign Bank.

Cox Media Group