Buckhead Pizza Shop Robbery Suspect Found Hiding In A Closet

ATLANTA — A Lithonia man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a Buckhead pizza restaurant. Michael Antonio Rolax of Lithonia, Georgia, was arrested after being found hiding in a maintenance closet at a nearby apartment complex.

Police responded to reports of a robbery at Sarpino's Pizzeria around 3 am on Sept. 6. Officers were flagged down by two victims who claimed they were shot at by a black male. The victims said the suspect ran up to them attempting to start a fight, and then pulled a black pistol and began shooting at them. Police also interviewed an employee at Sarpino's, who told them a black male wearing a gray hoodie, black pants, black/red socks and no shoes, entered the business as he was closing, put a gun to his head and demanded he open the cash register. The suspect then grabbed money out of the register and fled.

Police canvassing the area saw a man running from the rear of the location back toward a nearby parking deck. Police found Rolax was found lying down in the closet with a gun in his lap and money in his hand.

Rolax's clothing matched the description given by the pizzeria employee. Police also found money near the area where they saw the suspect running and found nearby bullet shell casings.

Rolax was charged with multiple counts of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault.