Woman pleads guilty to conspiracy

TORRINGTON — A woman has pleaded guilty to charges related to a February robbery of a Torrington Savings Bank branch in Falls Village.

Rachelle Winter, then 30, pleaded guilty in state Superior Court in Torrington on Wednesday to conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery and hindering prosecution.

State’s attorney David Shepack said Winter and Eric Sheridan conspired to rob the bank on Feb. 15. Sheridan entered the bank, requested money from the teller with a note, and left with more than $1,200 in cash.

Sheridan and Winter were seen leaving the scene, Shepack said. A police chase ensued, and the pair were apprehended seven minutes later after crashing into a tree. They were placed into custody and taken to Sharon Hospital for treatment, police said.

As part of a potential plea agreement offered Wednesday, Winter will serve between 18 months and six years in prison.

A range of potential sentences between 10 years, suspended after 18 months, with three years probation and 10 years, suspended after six years, with five years probation was discussed Wednesday.

Winter faces additional robbery, larceny and conspiracy charges in other pending cases, according to state records.

The case was transferred to the Windham Judicial District and scheduled for Oct. 27.

Sheridan previously pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree larceny, second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery and second-degree breach of peace in the Litchfield Judicial District, according to state records.

He is next scheduled to appear in court in connection with this matter Oct. 31.