Employees tackle robbery suspect with fake gun in Barre pizza shop

A group of employees at a pizza place in Barre tackled a man they say was robbing the store and held him until police could get there.

Police say Sean Coulson, 30, walked into Northeast Pizza with a fake gun and tried to rob the place.

Clad in a ski mask, gloves and sunglasses, and carrying his replica pistol, he was tackled by the other employees at the business. While they had Coulson pinned down, the workers removed his mask and immediately recognized him.

Coulson is a former employee and was fired in July.

"He was like, 'Trevor, please. It's me, Sean.' I'm like, I don't care who you are. I don't care," said Trevor Kosla. "He kept saying 'It's just a joke, it's just a joke.' That is not a joke by any means."

Except for a small scratch on his arm, no one was hurt. Barre police say it's very fortunate no one was seriously injured or killed.

"We don't recommend people get involved the way these employees do. That being said, it's very commendable what they did. It was a brave and courageous thing that they did. They did an excellent job in doing it," said William Recos, Barre Police Department.

Police say he has been charged with armed and masked robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

Coulson was arraigned on Wednesday and will be locked up until a dangerousness hearing on Feb. 5.

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