William Sequeira, 59, was charged with one count of bank robbery and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to a press release from the office of United States. According to a September 2010 article in The Boston Globe, Charlestown was once known as an area where bank robbers were concentrated, but has not been since the mid-1990s, and the subject has been a sore point for "Townies". Join Facebook to connect with William Sequeira and others you may know. It is alleged that surveillance footage of the robbery and subsequent interviews positively identified Sequeira as the robber. Ive got an apartment. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to United States Attorney Rachael Rollins. Bostons historic Freedom Trail ends in Charlestown, home to the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). In 2003, Paramount Pictures had optioned the rights to Chuck Hogan's novel Prince of Thieves before it was even published, and Dick Wolf signed on to produce before the project fell through. Charlestown hopes not", "Author Hogan talks about his kind of Town", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Town_(2010_film)&oldid=1151377935, Ben Affleck, Peter Craig and Aaron Stockard, This page was last edited on 23 April 2023, at 17:30. I-Team: Serial bank robber arrested for attempted heist in Back Bay. Doug knows that Jem will kill her if he knows so, to dissuade her from talking, Doug tells her that if she tells the police, they will put her in witness protection and send her to live in another state. William Sequeira, 59, faces one count of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery, with the former charged carrying up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and. He also talks about how he almost became a professional ice hockey player before he threw it away to follow in his father's footsteps as a bank robber. We want to bridge divides to reach everyone. Although we dont have the exact figures for Charlestowns crime rate in the 90s, statistics suggest that there was indeed a surge in the rate of robberies in Massachusetts in the 80s and 90s, which substantially dropped in the mid-aughts. "[31] Writing in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Laremy Lengel titled his review "The Town Works Best if You Avoid the Heat," also referencing Mann's film. Whitehouse's office said in a statement that the new charges came after an investigation by Cranston Police and the FBI, with the assistance of state police and the Johnston, Coventry and Hopkinton departments. Facebook gives people the. The Boston Police Department's Bank Robbery task force tackled. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. Claire donates the money, in memory of Doug's mother, to refurbish the local ice hockey arena in which Doug once played. All rights reserved, Mass. "[30] The reviewers at Spill.com also praised one of the shootout scenes, saying "It is surely the best shootout scene we have seen in decades. | Whitehouse said he will refer the case to a federal grand jury. Caught in a firefight with FBI SWAT operators, Dez and Gloansy are killed. Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. William Sequeira, 34, of Boston, and two brothers, Philip Lafond, 33, of Acushnet, and Donald R. Lafond Jr., 37, of New Bedford, already face state charges in connection with the robbery, at gunpoint, of $6,100 from the First Bank & Trust Co. at 645 Reservoir Ave. In fact, there were 23 reported bank robberies in the entire state of Massachusetts in the first quarter of 2010, compared with 49 in Illinois and 136 in California, according to the FBI.[34]. The Boston Police Department's Bank Robbery task force tackled William Sequeira inside the Citizens Bank on Boylston Street Wednesday afternoon, I-Team sources said. [21], On February 5, 2012, to promote the upcoming The Town: Ultimate Collector's Edition set, the AMC Loews Boston Common theater hosted an "exclusive engagement" of The Town (Take 2), wherein three showings of the film were shown with the alternate ending featured in the new home media release. "The bottom line is, the statistics speak for themselves, Mr. Comcowich says. On Wednesday, Sequeira was on the move again, traveling from his home in Providence to Boston, unaware that the Joint Violent Crime Task Force was already on his tail. According to prosecutors,. Peter Looney, a townie who hosts a local TV show called Charlestown Live, went to the Boston premire of The Town Tuesday night at Bostons Fenway Park, where Affleck appeared. Investigators believe Sequeira was also the suspect responsible for the first two robberies. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Sequeira is a serial bank robber who served decades in prison. "This is a person who has clearly not learned from his prior arrests and convictions," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. BOSTON - An infamous criminal, who claims he's robbed more than 100 banks, was arrested in an attempted heist in the Back Bay. His plan works, and she does not talk. Filming also took place at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, for casino scenes,[17] Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction in Walpole, Massachusetts, for use of their visiting room, and at Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn, Massachusetts, for the ending Amtrak scenes. In its opening shot itself, the film establishes that it is set in Bostons Charlestown. While Affleck had grown up in nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts, he barely knew the harsh inner-city environment of Charlestown. subscription. Watch the movie. The film ends with a written disclaimer: "Charlestown's reputation as a breeding ground for armed robbers is authentic. The Christian Science Monitor is an international news organization offering calm, thoughtful, award-winning coverage for independent thinkers. Video recorded the dramatic moment police took Sequeira into custody. [25], Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, praising Renner's performance and Affleck's direction. A Providence man who claims he's robbed at least 100 banks and that Ben Affleck's character in "The Town" was based on him was held without bail Thursday on charges of robbing two Boston banks and attempting to rob a third, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office said. William Sequeira, 34, of Boston, and two brothers, Philip Lafond, 33, of Acushnet, and Donald R. Lafond Jr., 37, of New Bedford, already face state charges in connection with the robbery, at. Do celebrities in Africa make you cringe? EAST PROVIDENCE Bill Black, Principal, Shane Messier, Assistant Principal, Lian Furtado, Assistant Principal, Bob Hanlon, CTC Director, and the amazing staff of East Providence High School, announce the Honor Roll for the 2022-2023 Third Quarter. Instead of coming off as a regular heist movie, the film compromises on the efficiency of its heists, and instead, focuses more on its characters and its well-established Charlestown setup. You dont have a Christian Science Monitor FBI found over $500,000 . 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. [19][3], The film was released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on December 17, 2010. Frawley interrogates them but is forced to release them. William Sequeira, 59, was charged with one count of bank robbery and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to a press release from the office of United States. He also told Pacheco that he had been on an episode of "Caught in Providence" with Judge Frank Caprio. CRANSTON, R.I. -- U.S. Attorney Sheldon Whitehouse brought federal charges this week against three Massachusetts men arrested after a Dec. 11 bank robbery and ensuing 35-mile police chase. The movie is actually a loose adaptation of Chuck Hogans novel Prince of Thieves. [9][11] By 2008, The Town was decided as the title and Ben Affleck, fresh off his directorial debut in Gone Baby Gone, was brought in by Warner Bros. to serve as the films star, director and co-writer. Once inside, Sequeira allegedly approached a teller and stated, Give me all the $100s in the drawer, and Give me all the money before I blow your brains out. Sequeira fled on foot after obtaining money from the teller. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Rebecca Hall (l.) and Ben Affleck appear in 'The Town. Was the small community of Charlestown really a locus of bank robbers? William Sequeira, 59, was. One month free trial to the Monitor Daily. In the early 1990s, an increase in the number of bank and armored car robberies by Townies focused attention on Charlestown. At Fenway, Doug and Jem enter disguised as Boston police officers, steal $3,500,000 in gate cash, and prepare to escape in an ambulance while disguised as paramedics. They feel we were abused, says Mr. Evers, who adds, Im not rushing to see the movie. He was asking for leniency with regard to some traffic tickets. The film premiered on September 8, 2010, at the Venice Film Festival before being released in the United States on September 17, 2010. 2023 Cox Media Group. A Fall River man with a history of attempted bank robbery was charged in connection with a September incident at a TD Bank branch in Boston. Prosecutors revealed he's also suspected in a September 27 Santander Bank robbery on Berkeley Street and another robbery the following day at M&T Bank on Boylston Street. Yet two years ago, he appeared on the popular "Caught in Providence" TV show and received a reprieve for several outstanding traffic tickets, largely because he expressed remorse for his bank robbing past and a desire to change his life. However, this film all but ignores the great majority of the residents of Charlestown, past and present, who are the same good and true people found most anywhere,"[35] to whom the film is dedicated. So ultimately, although there seems to be some truth to the films depiction of Charlestown, its authenticity should be taken with a grain of salt. Providence stabbing:What we know after a Fall River man was killed outside the Cadillac Lounge. subscription yet. A third defendant, William Sequeira, 34, of Boston, is scheduled to be sentenced next month. [13], Filming began in late August 2009 in Boston. Frawley deduces that Claire tipped him off, but her tip is too cryptic to provide grounds for an arrest. [33], A voice in the trailer of the film says: "There are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. Along with Aaron Stockard, who he invited to work with him on the scripts, Affleck interviewed several locals of the Charlestown community. The latest charges stem from three new incidents. Your session to The Christian At about 3pm, as an undercover Dedham Police officer warned the Citizens Bank manager about the possibility that Sequeira might rob the bank, in walked Sequeira wearing a hospital mask and a cap. He still cares about us, Looney says. Instead of coming off as a regular heist movie, the film compromises on the efficiency of its heists, and instead, focuses more on its characters and its well-established Charlestown setup. Last year Sequeira appeared on the popular Caught In Providence You Tube channel where he bragged about robbing a hundred banks and even compared himself to Bostons Ben Affleck. But he also said he was trying to turn his life around, making deliveries for a produce company, and said he didn't ever want to end up in prison again. But as depicted in the movie, the task force had recently busted a gang which was very similar to the movies AK-47-wielding crew. In one heist in Hudson, New Hampshire, two guards were killed, and is alluded to in the film - during a scene where Agent Frawley is briefing his task force, he mentions that Doug's father is serving life for a notorious robbery in Nashua. [34][36] The film makes reference to the definition of "Toonies" during one of Doug and Claire's dates. But youll find in each Monitor news story qualities that can lead to solutions and unite usqualities such as respect, resilience, hope, and fairness. William Sequeira, 59, was indicted this week on four counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery, the United States Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins announced. [10] Lynn's vision for the project was a 3-3.5 hour Martin Scorsese styled film with a budget of 90 million dollars, this led to creative differences with the studio and the eventual departure of Lynn from the project. What we know after a Fall River man was killed outside the Cadillac Lounge. 2023 www.heraldnews.com. According to Frawley, the elder MacRay hijacked a "bread truck" (armored car) up to New Hampshire, and when one of the guards saw his face, he executed both of them with their own weapons. Using a firearm in a crime of violence brings a mandatory sentence of 5 years in prison. We William Sequeira, 59, was charged with one count of bank robbery and faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Four lifelong friends from the neighborhood of Charlestown, Boston, Douglas "Doug" MacRay, James "Jem" Coughlin, Albert "Gloansy" MacGloan, and Desmond "Dez" Elden, rob a bank. After finding out that Claire lives in their neighborhood, Doug follows her to find out how much she has told the police and to ensure that the hot-headed Jem does not eliminate her as a witness. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. you are agreeing to our. William Sequeira, 59, of Fall River, allegedly robbed four separate banks in Massachusetts within a five-day period and attempted . A judge ordered Sequeira to stay away from Boston and the banks involved. William Sequeira, 59, has previously claimed that Ben Affleck's character in "The Town" is based on him. The extended/unrated version is a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy bundle which includes 28 minutes of additional footage, taking the runtime to over 153 minutes. Charlestown is a nice town no different from any other town. The Christian Science Monitor has expired. Its not the same town as it was in the early 90s and the 80s., When asked about the films portrayal of Charlestown, Bill Peletier, wearing a green Charlestown Townies sweat shirt at the Dunkin' Donuts, says, Movies are fixated on the bad part. In the movie, Its evident that a lot of it is fiction., But the films portrayal, he says, just doesnt define the town.. Fall River police were able to help law enforcement officials connect the dots, after a September bank robbery on Rodman Street. Its sad, Peletier says. And, he says, Its a good movie., Townies cite their pride in growing up in a close-knit neighborhood with traditionally large Irish Catholic families whose members went on to work as priests, politicians, police officers, and firefighters. William Sequeira, 59, was charged with one count of bank robbery and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to a press release from the office of United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Now she's facing charges. Their next job, an armored car robbery in the North End, goes awry, and they barely escape. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Later, while she is gardening, Claire finds a buried bag containing money, a tangerine, and a note from Doug that suggests that she can make better use of the money than he can and that they might see each other again. On Oct. 5, law enforcement surveilling the Back Bay area in an effort to locate Sequeira spotted him entering a Citizens Bank branch on Boylston Street in Boston. The Town is a scintillating crime drama that grips from its very onset and keeps you hooked till the end. One of them pointed a handgun at bank employees and told them to get down on the floor while the other jumped over the counter and took money from the teller drawers. At 59 years old, William Sequeira has spent much of his adult life doing time. The prosecution also said Sequeira is suspected in three more robberies in Boston, Dedham and New Bedford. When Frawley learns Claire quit her job, he taps her phone, shows his file on Doug to her, and threatens to prosecute her as an accomplice. Hollywood will do anything that will sell tickets. [4][5] It also stars Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper and Slaine, and follows a Boston bank robber who begins to develop romantic feelings for a victim of one of his previous robberies, while he and his crew set out to get one final score by robbing Fenway Park. [14][15] The former MASSBank branch located in Melrose, Massachusetts, was used as the location for the first robbery of the film, taking on the name Cambridge Merchants Bank[16] (the exterior shots, however, are of Cambridge Savings Bank in Harvard Square). Both versions include special features and an audio commentary including a look at Affleck as a director and actor. You can renew your subscription or But their statistics do show that Charlestown has barely more than 2 percent of all Boston robberies, not just bank robberies. Explore them here. Updated on: October 6, 2022 / 3:11 PM This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. https://www.caughtinprovidence.com/ A lot of us turned out pretty good, he says. From the deck of a small house, Doug looks out over the water, forlorn, but seemingly safe in Florida. According to prosecutors, Sequeira has served previous long sentences for bank robbery. [26] In his review for The New York Times, A. O. Scott commented on the opening heist, "That sequence, like most of the other action set pieces in the film, is lean, brutal and efficient, and evidence of Mr. Affleck's skill and self-confidence as a director. Thats a pretty good conclusion, Comcowich says. If you have questions about your account, please Townies, those born and raised here, don't take kindly to being. FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley recognizes their ties to local Irish mobster Fergus "Fergie" Colm. When the film first premiered in 2010, there was some backlash on its representation of the people in Charlestown. Your subscription to [citation needed], The Town was shown at the Venice Film Festival and premiered at Boston's Fenway Park. On the TV show "Caught in Providence", Sequeira bragged that the movie "The Town" starring Ben Affleck is based on his life. He allegedly approached a teller and stated, give me all the hundreds in the drawer, and give me all the money before I blow your brains out. He then fled on foot. Many locals opened their homes to filming for The Town, and they were shocked to see the end results, said Bernie Evers Sr., a townie in his 70s who was relaxing with friends in the Dunkin Donuts. Donald Lafond and Sequeira fled into the woods, but were soon captured by police, who found a loaded .357-caliber pistol on Sequeira and a .22-caliber pistol in the snow near Donald Lafond. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Science Monitor has expired. So many viewers must be wondering if bank robbery actually became a family trade in Charlestown? Out of curiosity.. In a stroll of Charlestown on a sunny day, it's hard to believe this tiny Boston neighborhood could be "the bank robbery capital of America " - the Warner Bros. hype about Ben Affleck's . Doug flees by donning an MBTA uniform and escaping on a train. Sequeira was placed in handcuffs and taken into custody after an apparent bank robbery spree. Affleck and Stockard conducted many interviews with the Charlestown community, as well as the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in Boston. / CBS Boston. Sequeira is also facing charges in Fall River, in connection to a robbery at the Citizens Bank located at 501 Rodman St. Detective Luis Vertentes of the Major Crimes Division was assigned as the lead investigator in this case, according to a press release from FRPD. Boston. Fergie then threatens to kill Claire if Doug does not do the job, and he reveals to him that he controlled his father by making his mother an addict, which led to her suicide. In Boston Municipal Court, Sequeira briefly arged with his own lawyer as he was arguing for low bail. "[28] Justin Chang wrote in Variety that the action scenes strike "an ideal balance between kineticism and clarity" aided by cinematographer Robert Elswit and film editor Dylan Tichenor. September 17, 2010 According to the charging documents, Sequeira entered the TD Bank branch on Union Street in Boston Sept. 30. In court a prosecutor revealed an undercover Dedham Police Officer tripped up Sequeira. From what Im getting, people dont like it. Moreover, even the films Charlestown setup makes you wonder if it draws its inspiration from real crimes of the Boston neighborhood. Two men entered the First Bank and Trust at 1005 a.m. on Dec. 11. Against the wishes of Doug, Jem takes bank manager Claire Keesey hostage but later releases her unharmed. They suspect Sequeira might return to Boylston Street where two banks were hit in the last few days. (CNN/WBZ-TV) A Providence man accused of trying to rob a bank in Boston has been charged in another bank robbery in. He allegedly approached the teller, said Give me hundreds, and then threatened to shoot the teller if they did not move fast enough. an episode of "Caught in Providence" with Judge Frank Caprio, Houston House helps residents get back on their feet, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. William Sequeira was arrested after fleeing the scene of a robbery and crashing his car. Boston 25 News facebook feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News twitter feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News youtube feed(Opens a new window), School administrators: Create a closings account, Caught in the act: Accused bank robber who says Ben Affleck played him busted during heist spree, Deepest condolences: Boston Childrens Hospital pays $15M to family of baby who died during study, Hopkintons former deputy police chief indicted on child rape charges, Hingham Police officer accused of brandishing gun while off duty on Stoneham roadway, 12-year-old girl suffers cardiac episode during soccer practice, 4 men from Mass., NH arrested in Lawrence-based drug trafficking ring, federal authorities say. Ben Affleck played this real-life bank robber in 'The Town'. In a new complaint, filed this week in U.S. District Court, Providence, Whitehouse charged the men with armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. In that show he claims to have robbed over 100 banks, and is seen telling a judge that Ben Affleck's bank-robbing character in "The Town" was based on him. BOSTON At 59 years old, William Sequeira has spent much of his adult life doing time. The film was released in the United States on September 17, 2010. Charlestown locals also joined the cast, mostly as extras. William Sequeira, 59, of Providence, Rhode Island, was arraigned Thursday in Boston Municipal Court on a charge of attempted unarmed bank robbery, according to the Boston Police Department.. King in turn showed it to Warner Bros. studio, who agreed to make an adaptation directed by Lyne and written by Sheldon Turner. In a stroll of Charlestown on a sunny day, its hard to believe this tiny Boston neighborhood could be the bank robbery capital of America the Warner Bros. hype about Ben Afflecks new film The Town, which opens Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lovegreen ordered the men held pending further investigation. However, one must not forget that the movie only draws some inspiration from Charlestowns past and is no way implying that the Boston neighborhood is still replete of crime. In fact, Boston real estate agents routinely advise young professionals and families to move to Charlestown, citing its safety. Plenty of people rob and steal in other communities, but they dont get the press bashing that Charlestown does, townies complain. William Sequeira, 59, was charged in Boston Municipal Court Central with two counts of armed robbery of a bank and one count of attempted armed robbery of a bank. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to United States Attorney Rachael Rollins. He will appear in. Brick houses and old-fashioned gaslights line Charlestowns narrow colonial streets, and ordinary folks bustle about the Dunkin Donuts, and the CVS drugstore. On the show, he claims Ben Afflecks character in the movie The Town is based on him, and tells the judge that he has robbed more than one hundred banks. During his investigation, Vertentes shared photographs of the robbery suspect within the department in hopes of identifying him. BOSTON At 59 years old, William Sequeira has spent much of his adult life doing time. or call us at 1-617-450-2300. [37], Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction, Learn how and when to remove this template message, DallasFort Worth Film Critics Association, St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, "Blake Lively Goes to 'Town' for Ben Affleck", "Blake Lively going to 'Town' for WB, Legendary", "10 Actors Who Deserved an Oscar Nomination", "Lyne recruited to mastermind WB's 'Thieves", "Anatomy of a Contender: Making of 'The Town', "Ben Affleck, Blake Lively are the talk of 'The Town', "Blake Gets a Baby Welcome to Ben's Town", "Melrose: 'Lights, cameras, action' in city as Ben Affleck movie shoots locally this month", "Movie projector: 'Easy A' expected to lead 'The Town,' 'Devil,' 'Alpha and Omega', "The Town - Ultimate Collector's Edition (Blu-ray)", "Bunker Hill to Fenway: A Crook's Freedom Trail", "Review: The Town Works Best if You Avoid the Heat", "Robbed of its new image? The Town is a 2010 American crime drama film co-written, directed by, and starring Ben Affleck, adapted from Chuck Hogan's 2004 novel Prince of Thieves. Thats me. The movie itself aspires to create a cinematic representation of Boston and in no way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people. Thank you.\r---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\rCaught in Providence airs on television weekdays, please visit www.caughtinprovidence.com/showtimes for local listings.\r\rSUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW:\rFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caughtinprovidence/\rTwitter: https://twitter.com/caughtinprov\rInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/caughtinprovidence/\rReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CaughtinProvidence/\r\rContact us for sponsorship opportunities! An accused banker robber who claimed Ben Affleck played him in "The Town" has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges in connection with a spree of bank robberies in Massachusetts earlier this year. Frawley notes that this incident led to the passing of regulations prohibiting the driver from leaving the cab even if his partner is being held at gunpoint. Your honor, attorney Sam Cheng began, My client, because of covid, hes unemployed right now. If its on TV, Ill watch it. "[27] Xan Brooks, in The Guardian, wrote that the action sequences were "sharply orchestrated" but added "it's a bogus, bull-headed enterprise all the same; a film that leaves no cliche untrampled. logged you out. Doug tells Claire of his search for his long-lost mother, who he believes went to live with his aunt in Tangerine, Florida. Sequeira appeared on the local legal television show Caught in Providence two years ago, Boston25 reported. Search in titles only Search in THE MEDICAL MEN AND DOCTOR REPORTS only All rights reserved. The Town is a 2010 American crime drama film co-written, directed by, and starring Ben Affleck, adapted from Chuck Hogan 's 2004 novel Prince of Thieves.
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