Pizza Delivery Guy Robbed By Gun-Wielding Masked Men In Detroit 'Hell Zone'
DETROIT (WWJ) - Police say a man who was making pizza deliveries in Detroit is lucky to be alive after being robbed by three masked men with guns on the city's east side.
The incident happened around 7 p.m. as the 29-year-old pizza man arrived at his last delivery of the night at a home in the 20000 block of Helen, in a subdivision near Outer Drive and Van Dyke Avenue just south of 8 Mile Road.
According to police, the man was walking up to the home's front porch when he was approached by three black males who ordered him to "get on the ground, face down." Police say the suspects were dressed in dark clothes, wearing Halloween masks. The suspects were also armed with handguns and a shotgun, which were reportedly equipped with laser sights.
As he laid on the ground, police said one of the three suspects went through the victim's pants pockets, taking $130 and his wallet. At the same time, a second suspect took the victim's car keys, along with $160 and a cell phone from the victim's vehicle.
After the victim was robbed, police said the suspects told him to start counting to 100, yelling that he was in the "hell zone." All three suspects then fled the scene on foot.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detroit police at 313-267-4600. Tips can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, online at www.1800speakup.org, or by texting "CSM" and your tip to CRIMES (274637).
The incident comes amid calls in Detroit and surrounding suburbs to arm pizza delivery drivers.
Setting the tone back in 2012, a Jets Pizza franchise in Dearborn announced it would no longer deliver to Detroit after dark after a 19-year-old delivery driver was shot. A few months ago in neighboring Redford Township, a pizza delivery driver fatally shot an armed robber who accosted him near 7 Mile Road and Gaylord Street.