PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A West Warwick man is headed to federal prison after admitting to a violent bank robbery six years in the making. John Ryder, 29, was sentenced today to 36 months behind bars for robbing a BankRI branch in Coventry on May 2, 2016, brandishing a machete and making off with over $6,000.
The brazen daylight heist saw Ryder storm into the bank, wielding the large blade while demanding cash from terrified tellers. He absconded with $5,937 before fleeing the scene on foot, disappearing into a wooded area behind the shopping plaza where the bank is located. According to court documents, Ryder had been casing the area for days prior to the robbery, spending considerable time observing the bank and the surrounding woods.
Coventry Police Detectives and FBI agents, aided by the West Warwick Police Department, quickly zeroed in on Ryder. He was arrested just thirteen days after the crime, on May 13, 2016. The quick apprehension was a testament to the coordinated effort between local and federal law enforcement, leaving little room for Ryder to evade justice.
Ryder pleaded guilty on October 31, 2016, to the charge of bank robbery by force, violence and intimidation. U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith didn’t just hand down the 36-month sentence; he also ordered three years of supervised release upon Ryder’s eventual release from prison, and mandated full restitution to BankRI – meaning Ryder will have to repay every stolen dollar.
“This sentence sends a clear message that violent crimes like bank robbery will not be tolerated,” stated Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. Coventry Police Chief John S. MacDonald and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaborative policing in keeping communities safe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Ryder faces consequences for his reckless and dangerous actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the fallout from this brazen act of violence.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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