He Was Sent To Prison For Robbing This Rhode Island Bank – And He Just Robbed It Again!
The “Bearded Bandit” is back—robbing the same Rhode Island bank he hit before prison. What drove him back to his old target? 🌐 #News #ProvidenceRI #RhodeIsland #Crime
PROVIDENCE, RI – In a move that shocked local authorities, Justin Worley, a bank robber famously known as the “Bearded Bandit,” has admitted to robbing the very same Rhode Island bank that helped send him to prison seven years ago. The 44-year-old pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.
A Return to Familiar Territory
Worley’s initial crime spree in 2012 saw him rob nine banks across the region, including one in East Providence. After serving more than six years behind bars for his actions, many assumed Worley’s criminal past was behind him.
However, on New Year’s Eve in 2019, he walked into that same East Providence bank, this time joined by accomplice Nicholas Lage, 38. Both men approached tellers and demanded cash, with Lage brandishing a knife to further intimidate employees. The pair managed to make off with approximately $12,000, only to be arrested later that evening at the Twin River Casino.
Charges and Sentencing
Wednesday’s admission in court brings Worley closer to sentencing for his latest crime. Lage, his partner in the New Year’s Eve robbery, had already pleaded guilty back in April 2021 and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Worley’s sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2025, and, given his status as a repeat offender, could involve a lengthy sentence.
What Drives a Repeat Offender?
Law enforcement officials have noted that many convicted criminals struggle to reintegrate into society, sometimes returning to familiar behaviors and even locations tied to their past crimes. Worley’s case, however, stands out for its audacity—returning to the very bank where his “Bearded Bandit” moniker first came to prominence.
As authorities await his sentencing, Worley’s story leaves us with the strange reality of a man whose past seemed too powerful to leave behind, taking him back to the very place where it all began.
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