Man sues Delaware pizza shop for stopping his robbery attempt

NEWPORT, Del., July 22 (UPI) -- A Delaware man who didn't get the cheese when he attempted to rob a pizzeria has filed a federal lawsuit against the Newport restaurant for preventing his attempt to steal their dough.

In addition to Seasons Pizza, Nigel Sykes' lawsuit also names six pizzeria employees and the two Newport police officers who arrested him.

During the robbery attempt, pizza shop employees took a gun away from Sykes and wrestled him to the ground. He alleges that they treated him in a way that was "unnecessary" and is seeking about $260,000.

A bullet was discharged from the 23-year-old's gun during the robbery attempt, narrowly missing a Seasons employee.

"That is when the assault began," according to Sykes' suit. "All of the Season's Pizza employees participated in punching, kicking and pouring hot soup over my body. I was unarmed and defenseless and had to suffer a brutal beating by all of the employees of Seasons Pizza."

Sykes is currently serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to five charges.

"It is a joke lawsuit," Newport Police Chief Michael Capriglione told the News Journal. "It is sad to see this kind of suit being looked at. The court shouldn't waste the taxpayers' money."

After Sykes pleaded guilty to counts of robbery, attempted robbery and three weapons charges, he entered a motion seeking to withdraw his plea because, "I'm not good at making good choices."