Medford Man Indicted on Conspiracy Charge

A Medford man was indicted Wednesday on a charge alleging he planned to rob a Norwood check-cashing business with two others in January.

John Salvucci, 65 was indicted by a Grand Jury in Boston's Federal District Court Wednesday on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, according to court filings. Also indicted on the same charge were James Chambers, 53, of Stoneham and George Whalen, 55, of Winthrop.

The three men allegedly planned to kidnap the owner of Norwood-based Forest Hills Check Cashing then make him help rob the store. But another person Salvucci attempted to involve in the plot tipped off the FBI, who arrested the trio on Jan. 25.

The investigation leading to their arrest included wiretaps and surveillance of Salvucci's Princeton Street home.

During one recorded conversation, Salvucci allegedly told the cooperating witness: "Nobody's gonna get hurt. These are (expletive) pros. That's all they do...They got all the gear in the world...The only thing they're worried about is the cops. If the cops don't show up, everything's gonna be fine," according to an FBI affidavit. He went on to describe the conspirators experience with robberies and said they were "from Charlestown," the affidavit said.

Investigators also followed the three men from Salvucci's home to the check cashing business on Jan. 21 and appeared to case it in preparation for the robbery, the affidavit said.

Chambers and Whalen both have lengthy criminal records that include armed robbery charges.

All three men were ordered held in custody until trial by Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein following a hearing Jan. 31. A trial date has not been set.