Pizza Shop 'Bandit' Held Without Bail

The man arrested by East Providence police on Saturday night, Nov. 24, after the robbery of a pizza shop and the theft of a cop car to try to escape has been ordered held without bail by a judge.

Justin Thomas, 25, of Beechwood Avenue, Pawtucket, went before a District Court judge on Monday, Nov. 26. He has been charged with seven counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of assault and one count of larceny over $1,500.

Thomas was captured by East Providence police after he allegedly held up Domino’s Pizza on Pawtucket Avenue at gunpoint. He reportedly forced all of the employees into the back of the store, which drew the suspicion of a customer picking up an order. The customer called the police.

Thomas fled the pizza shop as patrol cars arrived, according to East Providence police. After a brief chase on foot, Thomas allegedly jumped into a still-running police car to try to elude police. A short chase ended when he crashed the car into three other police vehicles.

Thomas is being held at the ACI in Cranston. A bail hearing has been set for Dec. 10.