Cranston Man Accused Of Robbing Store Armed With A Rock Indicted

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man who prosecutors said robbed a Providence convenience store while armed with a rock was indicted last week in Providence Superior Court.

Justin Kulas, 40, was charged Thursday with one count of first-degree robbery.

Just before 7 p.m., on March 9, police were called to City Gas Station on Elmwood Avenue for a report of an armed robbery.

The store clerk told police a tall man with a beard, police later identified as Kulas, threatened him with a rock, saying "I will hurt you."

Police said Kulas then reached over the counter and stole $150 from the register. When police arrived, they viewed store video security footage and then put out notice about the suspect.

A few moments later, Officer Kelsea Heron saw Kulas on the sidewalk on Parkis Avenue. Police said Kulas then went inside Momo Mini Mart, where Heron and Officer Vincent Lopez arrested him without incident. Police said Kulas was not in possession of the money he stole.

"Officers, very good police work yesterday as you two searched for, found, and then arrested without incident Justin Kulas after he had robbed the gas station," Police Commander Thomas Verdi said in an email congratulating the officers. "Good police work is always appreciated and does not go unnoticed."

Kulas was scheduled to be arraigned in Providence Superior Court on Nov. 2.