2014 Seekonk Bank Robbery: Cranston Suspect Pleads Guilty

CRANSTON, RI—One of the suspects in the 2014 Webster Bank robbery in Seekonk, Mass., has pleaded guilty, the U.S. Attorney in Boston said Tuesday. Michael A. Dirocco, 35, of Cranston, appeared in Boston federal court. He was charged with armed bank robbery.

According to court papers, two men robbed the bank on Nov. 14, 2014. One suspect leapt over the teller's counter and grabbed money in the drawers, while the other suspect (matching Dirocco's description) pointed a weapon, described as a black semi-automatic handgun. They escaped with $10,065 in cash. Witnesses described the getaway car as a black Sport Utility Vehicle. Police got a break later when someone in Rhode Island saw two men swapping license plates on a black SUV. He took down the registration and told police.

Officers contacted the car's owner and concluded her son was driving her car. It was found later, but by then Dirocco was traveling in a green pickup truck. Police spotted it; a car chase followed; and Dirocco crashed into a tree. He was taken into custody. Since he matched one of the bank robber's descriptions, he was charged.

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