Bertini Couple Arraigned on Armed Robbery Charges

Eugene Bertini, 37, of 138 Salem Street in Wakefield, was arraigned on June 15 for a multitude of charges related to the alleged armed robbery of the Local gas station in Wakefield on April 25.

Bertini faces charges out of Middlesex Superior Court for armed robbery (3 counts), armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, and larceny over $250. 

At his June 15 arraignment, Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered the defendant held pending a dangerousness hearing, scheduled for June 27.

Last week, Bertini's wife, Leslie Bertini, 40, also of 138 Salem Street in Wakefield, was also . She was arrested on a warrant on June 3 and arraigned on June 7 in Middlesex Superior Court where Judge Kathe Tuttman ordered her held on $50,000.

On June 9, following a dangerousness hearing, Leslie Bertini was ordered held on $10,000 bail with the conditions that if she makes bail, she cannot have any contact with any victims or witnesses and cannot enter the town of Wakefield.

The Charges
According to authorities, on the evening of April 25, 2011, Eugene Bertini is alleged to . Police said he ordered the teenager working at the gas station to the floor, hitting him on the side of the head with the gun. He is alleged to have then demanded cash, totaling about $250, and stole a necklace off another teenager in the gas station before fleeing.

Leslie Bertini is alleged to have been in the car with Bertini and to have had knowledge prior to Eugene’s leaving the car that he intended to commit the robbery. It is alleged that it was Leslie who directed the driver of the car to pull off of the main street and onto a side street, where they parked and waited for Eugene to return. Although the car was not visible from the gas station, upon fleeing the gas station, Eugene headed directly to the area the car was waiting.   

The couple was arrested later that evening at a hotel in Saugus by officers from Saugus Police Department, Wakefield Police Department, and Stoneham Police Department. Found in the room were the stolen necklace and the gun alleged to have been used during the robbery, police said. More than $300 was also found in Eugene Bertini's shoes, according to police.

Eugene Bertini has previously been named as a "person of interest" in the in Woburn.