By Chris Sheppard
csheppard@abc6.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/abc6
UPDATE: The man who tried robbing a Domino's Pizza, before stealing a cop car and leading police on a chase, has faced a judge. 25-year-old Justin Thomas is being held without bail.
The Domino's Pizza on Pawtucket Avenue is back open for business Sunday after a botched armed robbery Saturday night.
Police say they arrested Justin Thomas, 25, after he allegedly robbed Domino's employees at gunpoint. In the process of trying to make his escape, Thomas attempted to flee in an East Providence police car, hitting several police cruisers in the process.
According to police, a customer arrived at Domino's Pizza at 2145 Pawtucket Avenue around 10:50 p.m. Saturday night and found it unusual that there were no employees in the front of the store, so they called police.
Several officers arrived, parking their cars outside just as Thomas was finishing up robbing the store at gunpoint, according to police. When Thomas exited the store, he saw the police cars and took off running. Two police officers gave chase on foot.
At some point during the foot chase, police say Thomas turned around and got into one of the empty police cruisers.
Police say he tried to drive away, but in the process he struck two marked police cruisers and one unmarked car. Police say it's possible that he hit more vehicles.
According to police, the third and final car that Thomas hit was damaged pretty badly and both cars were rendered immobile. The third police car had a police officer inside, but police say he wasn't injured.
At that point, officers took Thomas into custody. Thomas is charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor including:
- First-degree robbery (felony)
- Assault with a dangerous weapon (felony)
- Larceny of a motor vehicle (felony)
- Using a firearm while committing a crime of violence (felony)
- Resisting arrest (misdemeanor)
