Serial Bank Bandit Vaughn Watrous Pleads Guilty to 4 Counts

PROVIDENCE, RI – Vaughn Watrous, 47, has admitted to a federal judge in Providence that he robbed three banks and attempted to rob a fourth all within a three-day span in January 2021, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Watrous pleaded guilty today to four counts of bank robbery. The defendant’s sentences will be determined at a future date by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The brazen string of robberies took place in Providence, Cranston, and North Providence between January 19 and 21, 2021. Watrous admitted to robbing three banks in those cities and attempting to rob a fourth bank in North Providence on January 21, 2021.

This is not Watrous’s first rodeo – in 1997, he was convicted in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a charge of bank robbery and sentenced to 51 months in federal prison; in 2003 in U.S. District Court in Providence on two counts of bank robbery and sentenced to 76 months of incarceration; and in October 2015 in U.S. District Court in Providence on four counts of bank robbery and sentenced in February 2016 to a term of incarceration of 92 months.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julianne L. Klein. The matter was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Providence, Cranston, and North Providence Police Departments.

Watrous’s history of bank robberies has left law enforcement and community members alike shaken. ‘This is a stark reminder that serial offenders can and will strike again if not held accountable,’ said United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. ‘Our office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who commit these crimes are brought to justice.’