Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Frank Rogowski (age 47), of West Warwick, RI, pleaded nolo contendere before Superior Court Justice Brian P. Stern on Monday to the January 7, 2015 robbery of the Coventry Credit Union. Under the terms of the plea, Rogowski was sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. Rogowski was on probation for a 2004 conviction for robbery at the time he committed this new offense and was found to be a violator and sentenced to four years to serve effective the date of his arrest on January 14, 2015. Associate Justice Stern ordered that the new sentenced imposed being on Monday, not allowing the defendant to receive credit on the sentence for the past 2 years that he has been serving as a violator.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that just before 4 p.m. on January 7, 2015, Rogowski walked into the Coventry Credit union located at 744 Main Street in West Warwick with a stocking on his face and went immediately up to the counter and told the teller she had three minutes to put the money into a bag he was carrying. During this time Rogowski told her "No dye packs."
The teller did as she was instructed. Rogowski then told a second teller to add the money from her drawer to the bag, to which she also complied. Rogowski got away with a total $6,437 from the robbery.
Rogowski left the premises and witnesses were able to see him flee the scene in a dark red sedan. Through witness statements and surveillance footage, West Warwick Police were able to identify Rogowski as a possible suspect. The money was never recovered.
West Warwick Police Detective Patrick Kelley led the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine and Special Assistant Attorney General Matthew Lamountain prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.