Suspect in bank heist pleads guilty

BOISE – A California woman accused of robbing a Boise bank and taking an elderly couple hostage in their home has pleaded guilty to felony counts of kidnapping and robbery.

Prosecutors dropped two other counts in exchange for Erin Bagwell’s plea, said Ada County Assistant Deputy Prosecutor Connie Vietz. Sentencing was set for April 14.

Charles and Erin Bagwell, both 32 and from Redlands, Calif., are accused of robbing a Boise bank on Nov. 29. They both remain in the Ada County jail.

Authorities allege after the robbery, they broke into a couple’s home and held them hostage for four hours. While there, the couple allegedly injured the woman and ransacked the home. They also allegedly gave the couple $250 on their way out to pay hospital bills and a shotgun they stole.

The Bagwells were arrested in December after a police chase in Baker County, Ore.

Charles Bagwell is charged with two counts each of kidnapping and robbery, and single counts of attempted first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.