Alleged bank robber caught by off-duty judge
Kristina Chernenko was armed with rock during holdup, police say
The woman charged with robbing a St. John’s bank last Friday while armed with a rock — and caught by an offduty provincial court judge as she allegedly attempted to flee — tried to plead guilty in provincial court Monday morning.
Kristina Chernenko, 21, told Judge Lois Skanes she wanted to proceed by speedy disposition, meaning she was prepared to enter guilty pleas to charges of armed robbery, wearing a disguise with the intent to commit a crime, and assault.
“This is not a situation where you should proceed to a speedy disposition today,” Skanes told Chernenko, advising her to speak to a lawyer first.
Chernenko, who was sporting a purple arm cast she reportedly acquired after a recent car accident, asked to have the disclosure file for her case.
“Will I get disclosure in the lockup?” she asked. “I’ve been in for three days.”
Skanes explained it might take some time for police to
provide the entire file if the investigation is ongoing.
Chernenko agreed to stay in custody until her next court appearance on Dec. 11.
Police were called to the Scotiabank branch on Water
Street just before noon Friday, after a woman wearing a white mask and armed with a rock held up the bank.
Passersby, including provincial court judge Mike Madden, sources say, stopped the
woman. Bystanders helped pick up the money she dropped on the ground.
In the days before she was arrested, Chernenko posted a series of bizarre photos and video on Facebook, including
one of herself wearing a white mask and sporting the arm cast, holding a finger to her lips.