A brazen bank robber, Vaughn Watrous, 38, formerly of Providence, has pleaded guilty to robbing four banks in four consecutive days in February 2013.
Watrous, who robbed two banks in Providence and two in Cranston, admitted to the court that he passed a note to a bank teller announcing the robbery, demanding large bills and instructing tellers not to trigger the bank alarm.
According to the court, Watrous robbed Sovereign Bank branch offices on North Main Street in Providence, Atwells Avenue in Providence, and on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston, on consecutive dates beginning on February 11, 2013. He also admitted to robbing a Citizens Bank branch office located inside a supermarket on Garfield Avenue in Cranston, on February 14, 2013.
In each instance, Watrous passed a note to a bank teller announcing the robbery, demanding large bills and instructing tellers not to trigger the bank alarm. He was eventually caught after a pile of cash fell to the ground as he left a nearby store. Officers also recovered $690 hidden inside Watrous’ left shoe, $80 from inside his right front pocket and $240 from inside his left front pocket.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker. The robberies were investigated by officers and detectives from the Cranston and Providence Police Departments and agents from the FBI.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Watrous pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2016.
Defendant/respondent: Vaughn Watrous
Criminal charges: Four counts of bank robbery
City and state: Providence, Rhode Island
Exact date: February 11-14, 2013 and January 19, 2016
Sentence or outcome: Scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2016
Dollar amounts: $690, $80, $240
Related Federal Cases
- Vaughn Watrous, Bank Robbery, Rhode Island 2000 · Rhode Island
- John Ryder, Bank Robbery by Force, Violence, and Intimidation, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- Lenin Gutierrez, Bank Robbery, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- John Ryder, Bank Robbery by Force, Violence and Intimidation, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- James Blocks, Bank Robbery, Rhode Island 2026 · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
