HAMDEN–Investigators continue to try to figure out if a string of food delivery driver hold-ups are connected. Four drivers have been targeted in the last week.
In the wee hours of Tuesday, Dec. 9, police responded to the Quinnipiac University, York Hill Campus, on the report of an armed robbery.
The investigation revealed that a 25-year-old deliveryman had brought a pizza to an individual at the York Hill Campus. As he was exiting the school’s property, he observed a female screaming for help. The Domino’s employee subsequently stopped to assist the female. An individual, described as a black male dressed in black, approached him and pointed a gun at his head. He then demanded his personal belongings.
The suspected robber then dragged the deliveryman out of his vehicle and forced him to his knees. The subject then struck the deliveryman three times in the head with the gun before stealing his money, cell phone and car keys.
The suspect subsequently fled from the area in a green van. He was accompanied by the female that was screaming for help and another male.
Then on Sunday, Dec. 14, at approximately 6:45 p.m, police were called to the area of Circular Avenue and Bradley Avenue on the report of another armed robbery. This time, a 49-year-old delivery person who works for China Wok was making a food delivery to a Duane Road address. When he arrived, he was met by an individual, described as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-6, who was wearing a brown coat. A second individual, described as a 5-foot-11 male and wearing a mask, then pointed a firearm at him and demanded his belongings. The two fled on foot toward Wilbert Street with an undisclosed amount of money and the food order.
Then Tuesday, at roughly 8:00 p.m., police were dispatched to Manila Avenue on the report of an attempted robbery of a Legend Pizza delivery driver, who said he had a gun held to his head by one of two men who wanted him to give them his car. The delivery man managed to drive away without being injured. One of the suspects is described as a Hispanic male, 18 to 20 years of age, who was wearing dark clothing. The second suspect, who was wearing a mask, was clad in dark clothing.
Less than two hours later, in a nearby neighborhood, a Pianca Pizza driver says he was approached by two individuals with handguns who were described as black males wearing bandannas. They driver claims he had money stolen from him.
And the night couldn’t have been busier for cops. The manager for Star Pizza says one of her drivers was making a delivery one block from the Manila Avenue incident when he felt something wasn’t right, so he left. Apparently, the person who ordered for the delivery kept trying to stall the driver by saying he would come out with the money in five minutes. The driver told management that, because neighbors were outside, he believes the would be robber was waiting until the neighbors left so that there weren’t any possible witnesses.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Hamden Police Department Major Crimes Division at (203) 230-4040.
