Black Suspect Arrested for Armed Robbery and Beating of White Restaurant Owner

Fox 4 KC
February 18, 2015

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Franco Cupini on the left of this picture, was left beaten and bruised after an encounter with an armed Negro thief.

The suspect allegedly responsible for putting a Midtown restaurant owner in the hospital last December has been arrested.

Edward K. Thomas, 53, has been charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and three counts of armed criminal action.

Thomas is allegedly connected to the Dec. 23 robbery of Cupini’s in Westport, which resulted in the owner  being battered and bruised.

According to the probable cause statement, Thomas used his teeth to remove a thick rubber band that surrounded the wallet he allegedly took from the owner of Cupini’s. The DNA ultimately led to his arrest.

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Edward K. Thomas stands accused of committing two other robberies besides this one.

Thomas reportedly entered the restaurant, waved a pistol and then pointed it at the restaurant’s owner.

According to prosecutors, Thomas hit the victim and made him fall. Thomas then kicked the man multiple times and exchanged his pistol for a large  knife, according to the probable cause document. Thomas also allegedly threatened to kill the man and demanded money.

The victim, who feared for his life, claimed that he had money in his wallet and pulled it out to give to Thomas, according to the probable cause statement.