SALEM – An Essex County grand jury handed robbery indictments against a Malden couple who allegedly robbed a woman two months ago at an ATM in Saugus.Joseph Correale, 37, of 57 Bellvale St., and Andrea Russo, 26, of 86 Winchester St., both of Malden, were charged with unarmed robbery in connection with an incident in August.On Aug. 4 at around 11 p.m., a 22-year-old woman from Gloucester was withdrawing money from the drive-up machine at a Bank of America branch located at 1093 Broadway when, according to the victim, a woman, later identified as Russo, approached her asking for directions.As the victim’s cash was being withdrawn, Russo apparently yelled at her, saying she had AIDS, grabbed $200 and took off in a green Honda Civic, reportedly driven by Correale.The robbery was captured on the bank video.Their arrest a few days later was the result of a joint investigation by area police.The indictments handed up Wednesday afternoon now move the case from Lynn District Court, where they have pleaded innocent, to Salem Superior Court where they will be re-arraigned within a few weeks.The pair remain held in lieu of bail.A conviction on the crime of unarmed robbery carries a potential life sentence in state prison.Assistant District Attorney John B. Brennan is assigned to prosecute the case for the commonwealth.Indictments are a legal process that allows a case to be transferred from District Court to Superior Court allowing a more severe punishment. It is not an indication of guilt.
