Barrington Bank Robber Sentenced To More Than 5 Years In Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Pierre S. Rheau, 34, of Providence, was sentenced on Friday to 63 months in federal prison for robbing a Barrington branch office of Bank of America while armed with a BB gun, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Barrington Police Chief John M. LaCross, East Providence Police Chief Christopher J. Parella and Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Rheau to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay restitution to the bank in the amount of $4,871. Rheau pleaded guilty on May 14, 2014, to bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery, as charged in a two-count federal indictment.

A co-defendant in this matter, David Lasseque, 33, of Providence, was convicted at trial by a jury on June 24, 2014, of one count each of bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Lassegue is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on September 26, 2014.
According to information presented to the court, late in the afternoon of July 12, 2013, Pierre Rheau entered the Bank of America branch office while brandishing a .177 caliber BB gun. Rheau demanded money from bank tellers. Rheau fled the bank with approximately $4,871 in cash and returned to a vehicle operated by David Lasseque.

Responding to a report of a bank robbery, members of the Barrington Police Department attempted to affect a traffic stop of the vehicle being driven by Lasseque. However, Lasseque refused to comply and fled, driving into East Providence with police vehicles in pursuit. The pursuit ended when Lasseque crashed his vehicle into an East Providence Police cruiser, injuring an officer. Lasseque attempted to flee on foot, but he was quickly apprehended. Rheau, who had been in the back seat of the vehicle, was arrested as he attempted to exit the vehicle. From inside the vehicle, officers seized clothing, sunglasses and latex gloves that matched the description witnesses stated were worn by the bank robber.

Additionally, officers seized a BB gun and a pile of loose money.

Both men have been detained since their arrest.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.

Warren Police and Rhode Island State Police assisted Barrington and East Providence Police and the FBI in the investigation of this matter.

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