Admitted getaway driver in Lynn robbery sentenced to two years

SALEM – A Revere woman who admitted she was the getaway driver during an attempted holdup in Lynn last April who led authorities on a police chase through several communities was sentenced to two years in jail.Allison Avangianos, 29, of 89 Beach St., Revere, changed her plea from innocent to guilty to charges of armed assault with intent to rob and negligent operation of a motor vehicle Friday afternoon before Judge David A. Lowy.She was sentenced to serve two years in the House of Corrections to be followed by three years of probation at which time she will receive drug treatment and counseling including inpatient treatment with random screenings.On April 27, Emily Landry allegedly tried to rob the 7-Eleven store at 3 Lynnfield St., in Wyoma Square. She reportedly walked into the store, pulled out a large knife and pointed it at the store clerk, Leo Robles, demanding money from the cash register, but Robles told authorities he refused and she quickly fled from the store.Off-duty officer Paul Cotter, driving by the area, spotted a female, who was later identified as Landry, running from the convenience store to a grey van with a female driver at the wheel parked on Floyd Avenue.As he began to jot down the license plate a 911 emergency call was broadcast on his portable police scanner reporting an attempted robbery from the 7-Eleven. He immediately began following the van as he reported the destination to police, who joined in the pursuit with their cruiser lights on.The driver, later identified as Avangianos, sped up, refusing to pull over. Police pursued the getaway van with speeds up to 55 miles an hour onto Route 1 into Saugus, Malden and onto the Revere Beach Parkway where the van was finally stopped and the women were arrested.The judge credited Avangianos the 88 days she has spent in jail awaiting trial on the case.Landry, 28, of Woburn awaits trial on the case as well as additional holdups in Lynn, allegations she has denied.Assistant District Attorney Christina P. Ronan prosecuted the case and Joseph Collins was the defense lawyer.