Man pleads to heists in Prov, Newport

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - His own fingerprints left on a note he handed a teller during a bank robbery was one the keys to Dennis Tasker's undoing.

Tasker, 38, of Providence pleaded guilty Thursday to robbing two Sovereign Banks, one in Newport and the other in Providence, back in July, the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed.

Prosecutors said Tasker robbed the Sovereign Bank on Thayer St. in Providence July 7, making off with $763 dollars. The next day, they said Tasker hit the Sovereign on Thames St. in Newport, stealing $7,900. In both cases, they said he handed the teller a note claiming he had a gun and demanding money.

Investigators were able to identify Tasker after Providence police officer Theodore Michael recognized the suspect in surveillance images. Michael once was a deputy sheriff in Newport County, and used to transport Tasker between the ACI and court.

However, it appears Tasker's own fingerprints were his downfall. Newport police detectives were able to lift prints matching Tasker's from the note given to the teller in that heist.

MBTA police arrested Tasker in Boston July 11, after they said he tried to break into about 15 cars. Shortly after his arrest, prosecutors said he admitted to both bank robberies.

Tasker is due to be sentenced April 16. The maximum penalty for bank robbery is 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.