Massachusetts Man Charged in Rhode Island Bank Robbery

July 1, 2010 - PROVIDENCE, RI—A Holyoke, Massachusetts man has been charged with robbing a Rhode Island bank then fleeing on a bicycle. Harley Traverse, 25, appeared in U.S. District Court Wednesday and was ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.

Traverse’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court on a complaint charging him with bank robbery was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

It is alleged in documents filed in federal court that on March 12, 2010, at approximately 9:08 a.m., Traverse entered a Citizens Bank branch on Main Street, South Kingstown, and handed a teller a note indicating that he wanted $50,000 dollars in 20's and 100's. The note warned that the robber had a gun and a police scanner and that if the teller pushed the button, he would shoot someone. The robber left the bank, got on a bicycle and fled from the area with approximately $32,400 in cash.

South Kingstown Police broadcast a description of the bank robber, and two South Kingstown officers saw an individual matching the alleged robber’s description riding a bicycle on the sidewalk near South Kingstown High School. They approached him and, after a short chase, placed him in custody. At the time of his apprehension, the individual, later identified as Traverse, possessed approximately $32,400 in cash and a note which read, "I have a gun and a police scanner so if you press the button, someone dies. I want $50,000 in 100's, 50's, and 20's. No dye (packs). No sequential bills. No tracking devices. If I find any of them or if you try to interfere in any way I will shoot the first person I see. Go to the vault and put the money in this. Hurry up!"

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerald B. Sullivan. If convicted, Traverse faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The matter was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation and South Kingstown Police.

A complaint 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.