Providence Men Charged After Barrington Bank Robbery, Car Chase into E.P.

Two Providence men have been charged with robbing at gunpoint a Barrington bank and for the high-speed car chase that followed into East Providence last Friday evening, July 12.

Pierre Rheau, 32, of 37 Sears Ave., and David Levesque, 32, of 239 Laurel Hill Ave., were arrested after their car crashed into an East Providence police cruiser on Mason Street off South Broadway after the chase from Barrington.

Rheau faces Barrington charges of first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a robbery. He also was arrested on warrants from Superior and 6th District Courts for first-degree robbery in Providence. 

Levesque faces Barrington charges of conspiracy to commit a robbery and eluding the police, second offense, and East Providence charges of eluding police, felony assault, resisting arrest and driving without a license.

Both men reportedly have lengthy criminal records and are suspects in other bank robberies in the area. 

Rheau reportedly walked into the Bank of America branch on County Road in Barrington about 5:40 pm with a black BB gun that closely resembled a handgun. Levesque reportedly waited outside in the getaway car. They left the bank with a reported large amount of cash; the exact amount was not released. 

The two men were spotted by a Barrington patrol officer, who gave chase. They reportedly sped north on Route 114 to Route 195 before exiting at Broadway. They then headed south before turning off South Broadway into a residential neighborhood, where several East Providence police cars were searching for them.

An East Providence police car driven by Lt. William Nebus was struck by the alleged robbers’ Hyundai Elantra, with the crash disabling both vehicles. They then tried to escape on foot before being run down a short while later.

The two suspects were treated for minor injuries at Rhode Island Hospital, as was Nebus. Rheau and Levesque were released to be sent to the Adult Correctional Institutions to await arraignments.