Suspected Pizza Hut bandit in jail

Published 12:01 am Monday, January 30, 2012

VIDALIA — A man who police suspect was one of unsuccessful Pizza Hut bandits is behind bars.

Eric K. Holmes, 25, 111 Hictober St., Natchez, was booked in Vidalia on a bench warrant for attempted armed robbery with a firearm Friday. He’s being detained without bond.

Vidalia Police Investigator Brandon Gremillion said that while the investigation is still pending, Holmes is considered a suspect in the Pizza Hut incident, which happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

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According to police, three young males wearing dark, hooded clothes entered the restaurant and lingered while customers made orders and eventually left.

After making sure no one else was in the restaurant or in the parking lot, the three men reportedly approached the employee working the cash register and one of them displayed a gun strapped to his side, telling the employee to take them to the store safe.

Instead of cooperating, however, all of the employees evacuated the building, according to police, and the unsuccessful suspects left without taking anything.

The Vidalia Police have previously issued an arrest warrant for Thlungas M. Prater, 22, for attempted armed robbery, in connection with the case.

Anyone with knowledge about the matter should contact Gremillion at 318-336-5254.