Three Pizza Delivery Robberies Investigated in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT — Police are investigating three separate pizza delivery robberies that occurred within about 40 min of each other.

First Robbery

Police were first dispatched at 12:56 a.m. to USA 1 Pizza on Grand Avenue to investigate a robbery complaint Jan. 23.

The driver went to Wolcott Place with an ordered pizza. A man approached his car and said the address was across the street, said Officer David Hartman, police spokesman. The driver was confronted by a knife-wielding man when he walked across the street.

The two men demanded the driver's money and attacked him, but not with the knife. The man was injured, but didn't require a hospital visit.

"Wanted for this crime is an Hispanic man, skinny and about 5’08”, with short dark colored hair," Hartman said. "His partner in crime is a man who wore a black and white plastic mask. He also stands about 5’08” and was armed with a large knife. The two face first degree robbery charges, second degree larceny charges and third degree assault charges as well as conspiracy to commit all three."

Second Robbery

The second call came in at 1:17 a.m. and police were dispatched to Pine and Monroe Streets. The Alpha Delta Pizza delivery driver told police he was attempting to find a Pine Street address, but was having difficulty.

Three men approached him as he sat in his car and one said he had ordered the pizza, but was short a few dollars. The driver was in the process of calling his boss when one of the men opened the door and tried grabbing the pizza. Another man went for his wallet on the dashboard, Hartman said.

The third pulled a handgun and demanded money.

The delivery man hit the gas and took off. The pizza and wallet remained with him," Hartman said. "Although he struck a parked car during his escape, he made it unharmed."

The three suspects were described as young black men. They were last seen by the victim, running on Pine Street toward Blatchley Avenue.

Third Robbery

Police were dispatched at 1:35 a.m. to Stevens Street to investigate another robbery report. They were then re-routed to Wintergreen Avenue and Level Street where the robbery victim found his car.

The driver pulled up to a home with a pizza and recognized a past customer on the porch. He exchanged the pizza for cash, but another man armed with a gun approached from behind.

The victim gave up the cash he had on him and the two robbers got into the victim's car, Hartman said.

"The victim – not eager to see his car disappear, got into the back seat," Hartman said. "The robbers told him to get out."

"The victim described the crooks. One is a black man between twenty-four and twenty-six years old," Hartman said. "He has short hair, a medium build and is about 5’09” tall. He wore a black and grey Northface® jacket. His accomplice is a black man between twenty-one and twenty-three years old. He has short hair, a heavy build and is about 5’06” tall. He wore a black Northface® jacket."