By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
NORTHAMPTON - Police say David Rodriguez, who had worked as a cook for a few months at a downtown restaurant, left a co-worker for dead after hitting her a dozen times with a crowbar in a robbery at Roberto's restaurant early Tuesday morning.
Rodriguez, 26, who police said is homeless, pleaded innocent Wednesday afternoon in Northampton District Court to charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony.
Judge Richard J. Carey ordered Rodriguez held on $100,000 cash or $1 million surety and continued his case to March 10.
Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Michael A. Cahillane said in court that Rodriguez had already given authorities a statement in which he confessed to the attack.
Rodriguez was arrested about 11 a.m. Wednesday at a West Springfield motel, just as he was checking out of his room, said Northampton Police Detective Lt. Kenneth J. Watson. Investigators received information on Rodriguez's whereabouts overnight after his picture was shown on local television stations, Watson said.
Northampton police made the arrest with help from the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section.
The alleged robbery took place at Roberto's restaurant, 223 Pleasant St., Northampton, about 5 a.m. Tuesday. The alleged victim, a restaurant office manager, is identified in court documents as Lori J. Hopkins.
"He struck her several times in the head with what we now believe to be a crowbar," Watson said. Police initially had described the weapon as a metal pipe.
"After the last strike to the head, she fell to the ground and didn't move, and then (Rodriguez) left," Watson said.
According to a report by Northampton Police Officer Brent Dzialo, Rodriguez entered a back room where Hopkins was working and struck her 10 to 12 times without speaking.
He then demanded money and forced Hopkins to open a locked cabinet containing a cash box and cash register drawer, Dzialo wrote. Rodriguez left after taking more than $1,500, and was caught on a back-alley surveillance camera leaving the restaurant, the report states.
It's unclear how Rodriguez entered the locked restaurant, Dzialo wrote.
Officers arrived at the restaurant about 5:17 a.m., and found Hopkins lying on the floor and bleeding heavily from her head and face. She was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital and released later Tuesday morning.
"She seems to be doing OK," Watson said after speaking with her Wednesday morning.
Roberto's was closed Tuesday night, but reopened Wednesday. A manager at the restaurant declined to comment on the situation.
Rodriguez's last known address was 9 Hendrick St., Easthampton, but Watson said he has been living recently on the streets of Northampton. He had been working at Roberto's as a cook for the past few months, Watson said.
Staff writer Owen Boss contributed to this report.
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