Woman Hid Alleged Box Cutter Robber Under Bed, Police Say

A woman from the city’s Marvine-Pembroke neighborhood is accused of harboring a fugitive who was being sought after he allegedly mugged a teenager with a box cutter last week.

Police found the alleged robber—Nixon Montalvo-Velez—hiding under a bed in the home of Alexa Kuilan, who was “adamant” in her denials that he was there, police said.

Kuilan, 38, of 1036 Essex Court, picked up Montalvo-Velez in a black Saturn at Fritz Drive and Merriman Court, after he allegedly robbed a teenager of a cell phone and $3, police said.

She then took him back to her home, police said.

Police traced the Saturn to Kuilan’s address and knocked on her door, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Kuilan told police that she had picked up Montalvo-Velez and taken him back to her home, but he had left before police arrived.

Kuilan ultimately allowed a police search of her home and Montalvo-Velez was found under a bed on the second floor, arrested and charged with robbery and other counts.

Kuilan was charged with hindering apprehension—a third-class felony—and arraigned Monday before District Judge Patricia Romig-Passaro. She was committed to Northampton County Prison after she could not post $5,000 bail.