Judge converts bail to PR in armed robbery case

Flanked by two Strafford County Sheriff's Deputies, Tasha Loaiza tries to look back at family members during her probable cause and bail hearing on Wednesday at Rochester District Court. (Harrison Thorp photo)

Okiemute Leo Omatie

ROCHESTER - The Rochester woman arrested in an armed robbery at the Residence Inn had her $5,000 cash bail converted to personal recognizance on Wednesday against the wishes of an assistant county attorney who contended the woman is a flight risk.

Tasha Loaiza, 21, of 17 Norway Plains Road #43, Rochester, was charged with armed robbery in the June 15 incident, which was carried out with an accomplice who is still at large.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Okiemute Leo Omatie (known as Leo), 19, of 28 Fifth Street, Dover, N.H., who allegedly accompanied Loaiza. A third suspect thought to have stayed in a vehicle outside may also be involved, police say.

Loaiza, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, anxiously looked back at family members who attended the probable cause hearing at Rochester District Court. The probable cause hearing, itself, was continued, which left the matter of bail conditions the only issue to be decided on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Dorothy Walch said Loaiza defaulted on a willful concealment court appearance and jumped bail on a Portsmouth, N.H., charge.

Her defense attorney countered Loaiza was up in Baileyville, Maine, near the Canadian border and couldn’t get transportation down for the Portsmouth hearing.

In the end Judge Susan Ashley allowed the personal recognizance bail with a GPS bracelet and frequent, random drug and alcohol testing.

Loaiza will be staying at a specified house in Somersworth, with Ashley demanding that this must be “a drug free and sober house.”

While out on bail, Loaiza is to coordinate with Strafford County Corrections officials in attending drug and alcohol as well as parenting classes.

Loaiza has two small children that DSS is now taking care of since her arrest.

In the armed robbery Loaiza and Omatie are said to have entered the victim’s apartment at the Residence Inn at 182 Milton Road around 10 a.m.

The victim said she heard a knock at her door and claimed Loaiza, whom she knew, come in, police said. She said that an unknown black male walked in behind her. The male then pulled out a knife and both the female and the black male proceeded to threaten the victim asking for drugs and money

The pair eventually left with a computer tablet, drugs and money taken from the victim and fled in a vehicle.

Their license plate was written down leading police to respond to 43 Norway Plains Road where Loaiza was located.

Omatie, meanwhile, also has ties to the Somersworth and Rochester area. He is described as African-American, about 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Rochester Police are asking anyone with information on Omatie to call them at 603-330-7128.