Providence Man Accused Of Multiple Bank Robberies

CRANSTON, RI — A Providence man is facing charges in connection with a bank robbery in Cranston last week. Vaughn Watrous, 43, was arrested Sunday evening.

The robbery happened Thursday afternoon, at the Santander Bank at 555 Reservoir Ave. Tellers told police a man entered the building and passed over a note demanding money. He left with the money and ran out into the surrounding neighborhood. No injuries were reported.

Following the robbery, police worked with bank officials to identify the suspect using surveillance video. Detectives learned that a similar crime took place in North Providence about 30 minutes before, with the suspect matching the description of the Cranston robbery. The same person was believed to be responsible for several other bank robberies in Providence.

A warrant was issued for Watrous's arrest on Saturday. He was spotted in Cranston Sunday evening and arrested "following a brief struggle."

This is not the first time Watrous has been accused of bank robbery. He was released from federal prison in February 2020 after he was convicted of robbing several Rhode Island banks in February 2013.

Watrous is facing charges of second degree robbery in Cranston, as well as separate robbery charges in Providence and North Providence.

"The swift apprehension of this suspect is the direct result of three law enforcement agencies sharing information and working cooperatively to solve robberies in multiple jurisdictions," Col. Michael Winquist said. "I commend all the officers and detectives from the various agencies who participated in this investigation. Their diligence resulted in an alleged repeat offender being taken off the street."