Pizza Shop Robber Tries to Escape in Cop Car

East Providence police have charged a man, address unknown, with several felonies after he robbed a pizza shop at gunpoint and then tried to escape in a police car, according to the Providence Journal and WJAR-TV.

Police said that Justin Thomas, 25, was arrested Saturday night, Nov. 24, soon after police interrupted a robbery at Domino’s Pizza on Pawtucket Avenue.

Det. Lt. Michael David said police learned of the robbery from a customer who found no one in the store when they stopped by to pick up an order.

Thomas, who reportedly was carrying a gun, ran from the police officers and jumped into a cruiser parked and left running by an officer who spotted him behind a nearby house to try to escape.

Thomas allegedly came around the house, jumped into the police car and drove away, creating a chase that resulted in several police cars being hit and damaged.

Dt. Lt. David credited the customer for his action. Police would have responded much later if the customer had not contacted police, the officer said.