Former cop found guilty of 2016 armed robbery

ROSWELL-  Former Roswell Police Officer Valerie Palombi was convicted of armed robbery Friday.

Palombi, 27, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and two counts of resisting an officer following a three-day trial before the Honorable James M. Hudson of the Fifth Judicial District in Roswell.

Palombi was taken into custody following the trial and will be held pending the sentencing hearing that is scheduled for May 14.

Palombi now faces a minimum of one year — and a maximum of 15 years — in prison.

Armed robbery of a Subway

On June 28, 2016 the Roswell Police Department was dispatched to an armed robbery at the Subway Restaurant located at 2901 N. Main Street.

Detectives learned that two employees at the restaurant were held at gunpoint by a male suspect who was later identified at Kevin Blake.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Blake originally entered the store and ordered a sandwich.

When one of the employees turned to grab the bread, Blake allegedly pulled a handgun from his right pocket and pointed the gun at the employee.

Blake then walked the employee to the back of the restaurant where another employee was doing the dishes. Blake ordered the two to get on the floor, and threatened them.

While Blake was holding the two employees at gunpoint in the backroom, Palombi entered the restaurant and removed approximately $600 from the cash register.

She and Blake then fled the area.

Kevin Blake, 26, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery on August 16, and he is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in March. Blake is facing a minimum of two years and a maximum of 15 years in prison.

The Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office was appointed as special prosecutors to handle these cases by Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce.

This case was handled by Senior Trial Attorney Timothy Nuccio and Deputy District Attorney Davis Ruark of the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The case was investigated by the Roswell Police Department, and Investigator Geraldine Martinez of the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Nicole Maxwell can be reached at 575-437-7123, nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com or @NicMaxreporter on Twitter.