Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two in West Greenwich Armed Bank Robbery
Defendants Face Significant Mandatory Federal Prison Sentences if Convicted as Charged
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 22, 2011 |
PROVIDENCE, RI—Two men arrested shortly after allegedly robbing a West Greenwich, R.I., bank as it was being readied to be opened for business on May 28, 2011, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence Wednesday on conspiracy, bank robbery and firearm charges, it was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha. Both men face significant mandatory federal prison sentences if convicted as charged in the indictment.
Louis R. Peters III, 22, of West Topsham, Vt., and Craig A. Carey, 42, of Fall River, Mass., were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. If convicted, Peters and Carey face maximum sentences of five years in prison for conspiracy; 25 years’ imprisonment for bank robbery; and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to life imprisonment for brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence—to be served consecutive to all other sentences imposed.
According to court documents and information previously presented to the Court, it is alleged that Peters and Carey accosted the manager of the Centreville Savings Bank branch on Victory Highway at gunpoint as the manager prepared to enter the bank. Once inside, it is alleged the defendants detained other employees as they entered the bank, and then robbed the bank of a large sum of money.
Shortly after fleeing the bank, based on information provided to West Greenwich Police by witnesses and broadcast on police radios, two West Greenwich officers located one of the suspects sitting in a vehicle parked behind a nearby building, and located the second defendant walking a short distance away. Both men have been detained since their arrest.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. The matter was investigated by West Greenwich Police, Rhode Island State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.