White River Junction
Stephen Silva was ordered held without bail during his arraignment in Windsor Superior Court.
Windsor County State’s Attorney David Cahill advocated for the no-bail provision, saying Silva doesn’t have ties to the state of Vermont and is a habitual offender.
Silva’s public defender, Erik Braghirol, didn’t contest the hold-without-bail request. He said he might file a motion to review Silva’s bail at a later date.
Silva has at least two robbery convictions on his record, including first-degree robbery stemming from a 2011 incident in Connecticut and armed robbery connected to a 2010 incident in Massachusetts. He also has been convicted of heroin possession in that state.
His criminal record makes him a habitual offender in Vermont, meaning he could spend up to life in prison if convicted in the Hartland case. He faces felony grand larceny greater than $900, larceny from a person, and aggravated vehicle operation without the owner’s consent.
Around 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Silva allegedly entered Mascoma Savings Bank and handed the teller a written note that said “give me your 100s, 50s and 20s.”
The teller complied and gave Silva everything in her drawer, which included two stacks of $20 bills wrapped in small brown paper money bands totaling $1,140, according to a Vermont State Police affidavit written by Detective Sgt. Eric Albright.
As Silva left, the teller told a co-worker they needed to “lock the doors” and the teller activated the silent alarm and called 911.
The alleged robber committed the act quietly, as a nearby teller said she didn’t even realize the robbery had taken place until she saw the cue to lock the doors, the affidavit says.
Police said the case started to crack on Monday night when they received a call from an employee at the Super 8 Motel in White River Junction, who said a male who fit the description of the alleged robber was staying there.
Images from the bank’s surveillance camera were circulated to news outlets along with a description of the man around 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Silva first checked into the hotel on Dec. 7. On the day of the robbery, he checked out around 9:45 a.m. and returned around 12:15 p.m. to pay for another night, the affidavit states. He paid in $20 bills, the employee told police.
Once Albright learned Silva’s full name, he called police departments in Connecticut and Massachusetts, who informed him that Silva had a criminal record and was wanted in connection with a recent vehicle theft and an armed robbery with a knife on Nov. 30 in Chicopee, Mass. He also was wanted for two alleged vehicle thefts in Westfield, Mass., according to the affidavit.
The vehicle Silva had parked at the motel was reported stolen, as was the license plate on the vehicle, the affidavit says.
The Massachusetts detective whom Albright spoke with said he believes Silva’s alleged actions are “fueled by a drug habit,” the affidavit says.
On Monday, police searched the vehicle Silva was driving and the room he was staying in.
They said they found items consistent with those from the robbery, including a brown paper money band.
Silva is next due in court on Jan. 10.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.