Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Brendon LeBlanc, age 38, of 23 Byron Street, Pawtucket, pled nolo contendere to six counts of first degree robbery and was sentenced to 40 years with 18 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. In addition, LeBlanc pled nolo contendere to one count of forgery and counterfeiting and received a sentence of 10 years suspended with probation, to run concurrent to the sentence for the first degree robberies. Superior Court Justice Jeffrey A. Lanphear also ordered LeBlanc have no contact with the victims and pay full restitution in the amount of $2,990.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that LeBlanc robbed multiple stores at gunpoint in Pawtucket in December 2012, as well as robbing two individuals in a home invasion, also at gunpoint.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on December 7, 2012, LeBlanc entered the Dots Fashion Store, located at 693 Beverage Hill Road in Pawtucket, wearing a red jacket with is face mostly covered, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and ordered the clerk to give him the money in the cash register drawer. The clerk complied and handed LeBlanc approximately $60.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on December 13, 2012, LeBlanc entered the Town Mart, located on Newport Ave. in Pawtucket, wearing a black ski mask, black hooded sweatshirt and black gloves, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and ordered the clerk to give him the money in the cash register. The clerk complied and handed LeBlanc approximately $200.
On December 18, 2012, at approximately 3:30 p.m., LeBlanc entered the Metro PCS store located on Pawtucket Ave. in Pawtucket, wearing a black ski mask, black hooded sweatshirt and black gloves, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and ordered the clerk to give him the money in the register. The clerk complied and handed LeBlanc approximately $55. After LeBlanc fled the store, the clerk went outside and witnessed LeBlanc jump into the passenger side of a small black two-seat truck.
On December 26, 2012, LeBlanc and two other individuals, all wearing masks and in possession of out what appeared to be a firearm, entered a home located on Poirier Street in Pawtucket, demanded the two residents give them money, which was approximately $4,000. After taking the money, the three individuals fled on foot.
On December 31, 2012, at approximately 8:50 p.m., LeBlanc entered the Gulf Express, located on East Ave. in Pawtucket, wearing a black ski mask, black hooded sweatshirt and black gloves, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and demanded the clerk give him the money from the cash register. The clerk complied and handed LeBlanc approximately $200.
On January 1, 2013, at approximately 8:20 p.m., LeBlanc entered the Bestway Food Store, located on Newport Ave. in Pawtucket, wearing a black ski mask, black hooded sweatshirt and black gloves, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and demanded the clerk give him the money in the register. The clerk complied and handed LeBlanc approximately $400.
As Pawtucket Police were investigating the rash of robberies, detectives developed Robert Messier and Brendon LeBlanc as the two suspects. On January 3, 2013, while conducting surveillance in the area of Woodside Street when they observed the two suspects together drive to a parking lot and get into a small black two-seat truck fitting the description given by one of the victims.
Police stopped the motor vehicle on Central Avenue. During the traffic stop, police observed a black ski mask and numerous pairs of gloves on the floor of the truck. The individuals were identified as Robert Messier, age 35 of 35 Woodside Ave., Pawtucket, and Brendon LeBlanc.
While at the police station, LeBlanc confessed to his role in the robberies. During a search of Messier's home, detectives seized a black BB gun and clothing seen on surveillance video of several of the robberies.
At the time of his arrest, LeBlanc was on bail for forgery and counterfeiting in an unrelated case.
In March 2014, Messier pled nolo contendere before Justice Lanphear to two counts of robbery and two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to 10 years with 42 months to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
"Armed with a gun, this defendant went on a robbery spree thinking of nothing but how to get money, leaving a swath of innocent victims in his path," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "I commend the good work by the Pawtucket Police in developing the suspects, following up on leads and putting and arresting the suspects before anyone was seriously injured."
Pawtucket Detectives Donti Rosciti and David Silva led the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.