Vernon Man Charged in Pizza Delivery Mugging

VERNON, CT — A Vernon man has been charged with mugging a female pizza delivery driver last month.

Police on Friday arrested Andre Tilghman, 27, who was charged with third-degree robbery, third-degree assault and second-degree larceny, according to an arrest warrant. He is a resident of 13 Highland Ave. Vernon, police said.

The assault took place at 4:09 p.m. on April 25, according to police records. Vernon police responded to the Spring Street area and a delivery driver said she was attempting to deliver pizza and was assaulted by a man, according to police records. police said.

The suspect then fled on foot, police said. A Vernon police dog unit attempted to track the suspect but he was not found, police said.

The driver, who worked for Domino's, suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital, police said.

The driver told police that she had seen a man at the top of a stairwell during a delivery to 25 Spring St., according to an arrest warrant. The man disappeared briefly and the driver thought he was telling whomever ordered the pizza that she arrived, according to an arrest warrant.

She said the man reappeared wearing a facemask, according to an arrest warrant. The driver remembers getting hit in the face after the man prevented her from heading down the stairs, according to an arrest warrant.

The driver told police she assumed a protective posture on the floor, but remembers the thug rolling her over and rummaging through her pockets as she was bleeding from the nose, according to an arrest warrant.

He stole about $100 in cash and as cell phone, police said in a warrant.

Those living in the area eventually identified Tilghman, including one who heard him saying he may "get the pizza guy."

He was held on a $150,000 bond and was to appear in court Monday, police said.

Photo Credit: VPD