East Providence Police Arrest "Bearded Bandit" and friend in New Year’s Eve Bank Robbery

The East Providence Police issued a statement today in which they announced the arrest of two men for a New Year's Eve bank robbery in the city.

On Dec. 31, 2019, shortly after 5 p.m., East Providence police responded to TD Bank at 440 Pawtucket Ave. for the report of a bank robbery. When Officers arrived they learned two armed suspects had fled the scene in a vehicle with more than $11,000. Members of the Patrol and Detective Divisions responded to the scene and gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses. Video was retrieved from inside the bank and a vehicle description was obtained from a witness.

On Jan. 1, 2020, a member of the East Providence Police Department spotted the suspect vehicle at Twin River Casino. With the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police and Twin River security, two subjects were taken into custody in the casino at approximately 1 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020.

As of Jan. 3, 2020, East Providence Police detectives recovered nearly $7,000 that was stolen in TD Bank robbery. Also recovered was a knife and BB gun during the course of the investigation. Detectives continue to gather evidence and investigate this active case.

Two suspects have been arrested: Justin Worley of Cranston, RI and Nicholas Lage of Warwick, RI. Both men are charged with one count of first-degree robbery and conspiracy. Worley was previously arrested in 2012 for a string of bank robberies in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and had been dubbed the “bearded bandit.”

There is no further information to be released at this time.