WESTFIELD – A judge ruled Monday that a man who allegedly robbed and threatened to murder a local barber can be released on $5,000 cash bail – if he can come up with the money.
Encarnacion J. Alvarado, 40, of no known address, was arraigned in Westfield District Court Friday on charges of armed robbery and threat to commit a crime.
Initially, Alvarado was held without the right to bail until Monday’s hearing.
Alvarado’s attorney, Thomas F. McGuire of Springfield, said his client’s family will be “hard-pressed” to come up with that kind of money.
McGuire asked for $1,000 cash bail saying his client is homeless and has no money.
“He is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” McGuire said.
Alvarado allegedly stormed into the County Barber Shop located at 61 School Street around 4:15 p.m. Thursday demanding money.
Owner David Munoz said, “He put a razor on my neck,” and “was screaming I’m high as hell–I’ll f-ing kill you!”
Alvarado took Munoz’s money from his pocket and pushed him to the ground.
Munoz ran after Alvarado in the direction of the Westfield police station where a police officer exiting the back door joined the chase, according to Munoz.
According to Assistant District Attorney Michael Wallace, Alvarado was arrested an hour and a half later in his girlfriend’s apartment on Washington Street.
“Police located Mr. Alvarado in between a bed and a wall trying to conceal himself,” said Wallace, who argued for $100,000 cash bail before Westfield District Judge Philip A. Contant Monday.
The razor and more than $900 were found on Alvarado following his arrest, Wallace said.
Wallace argued for such high bail due to the serious nature of the crime and the fact that Alvarado was on probation for the same charge of armed robbery.
According to the Hampden County Superior Court Clerk’s office, Alvarado was sentenced to two years probation on September 11, 2013, for armed robbery of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Springfield.
Munoz said Alvarado has always had a problem with drugs, namely heroin.
Munoz has known Alvarado for 10 years, said Munoz, and that the two had worked together at A Cut Above the Rest Barbershop on Elm Street.
According to police records, an employee at A Cut Above the Rest told police on Thursday that Alvarado “has not worked at this location for about three weeks.”
On July 16, Alvarado entered Munoz’s shop asking for a job. When Munoz stepped out of the room, he returned to find $280 and his cell phone had been taken, allegedly by Alvarado.
Alvarado will be in court again on September 3 for a bind over hearing.
McGuire explained that since this is an armed robbery case, if there is probable cause, the case will need to be moved to Hampden County Superior Court.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
