Delivery Driver Struck With Gun, Robbed
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint early Monday morning, according to a police statement.
Pittsburgh police said that at about 12:45 a.m., officers were called to Genoa Pizza and Bar on Market Street following the robbery. The robbery took place near Plough Street and Dickson Street in the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood, police said.
"We get deliveries all the time on this road," neighbor Jacob Dumont said. "A lot of neighbors especially get deliveries. You normally don't hear that kind of thing going on. We're fearful that we're going to stop getting deliveries because delivery drivers are getting robbed. Obviously that's something we don't want to happen in our area."
When the delivery driver arrived at the delivery location, a man pulled a black pistol on the driver and demanded he get out of his vehicle, while two other males approached the vehicle from the back, police said. The suspects then used the firearm to strike the victim before leaving with his personal belongings and food.
The driver was able to leave the area. The severity of his injuries was not immediately known.
The manager at Genoa said the driver is doing OK. He added most drivers don't carry much money because so many orders are done online. To help keep drivers safe, they're starting to get the credit card number of new customers to verify them.
"They go through a multiple verification process now cause of incidents like this," Dumont said. "We have a lot of abandoned houses here. So you don't know where you're going. I hope delivery companies track down the address and verify and deal with this."
No arrests have been made. Police are investigating.
Police offered these tips for delivery drivers:
- Stay alert to surroundings and stick to well-lit areas, if possible
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash at one time, if possible
- Be aware of people loitering at drop-off locations
- Be wary of delivery addresses that may lead to vacant properties
- Of course, if something does happen, leave the area and get to a safe location to call 911.
They add these tips are also a good practice for the public as well.
