Veteran, 81, Beaten and Felled by Teens While Out Delivering Pizza in Lawless Chicago
An elderly man who has delivered pizza in Chicago for 40 years was punched in the face and robbed before having his car stolen at a brazen body shop on the city’s northwest side.
Ernie Aimone, 81, explained how the sudden attack came after he made a delivery in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
A man approached from behind before punching Aimone in the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
The assailant demanded his car keys and then punched Aimone in the face, leaving him in fear for his life.
An 81-year-old pizza delivery man, Ernie Aimone, was robbed and carjacked on Chicago’s Northwest Side
Ernie Aimone was attacked while crossing the street after making a delivery, punched in the face and had his car stolen. He reenacted the attack for television cameras
State police later found his car, a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, but it had sustained significant damage after being involved in a crash
Aimone, a retired Army vet sergeant who fought in Vietnam, chose not to fight and instead remained on the ground as the attackers fled in his car.
“They said, ‘give me the keys, give me the keys,'” Aimone added ABC7 And they hit me from behind and hit me in the face. I was scared for my life.’
Chicago police confirmed the incident took place around 10 p.m. 21 Wednesday on North Ludlam Avenue.
State police later found his car, a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, but it had sustained significant damage after being involved in a crash.
A teenage suspect has been arrested, while the others are at large.
Aimone has been a dedicated pizza delivery driver for Joe’s on Higgins for four decades and is said to be beloved by his colleagues and customers alike.
‘They said, ‘give me the keys, give me the keys,” Aimone, who fought in Vietnam, told ABC7 ‘And they hit me from behind and hit me in the face. I was scared for my life’
Aimone, a loyal Joe’s Pizza employee for 40 years, plans to return to work once he gets another car — GoFundMe helped pay for his new vehicle. He is pictured with Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce, far left, Frank and Gina Demonte of the restaurant and Aimone’s daughter, Robyn
It was a total wreck and the car insurance company refuses to pay for a new one
The police found Aimone’s car the same evening as the attack, but it was damaged
Ernie Aimone, 81, has worked at Joe’s for four decades and is a popular member of the community
“He’s like family to us,” said Frank Demonte with Joe’s. ‘He has watched me grow up from a very young age. He worked for my father.’
Ernie is very special to us. Always has been, added Frank’s wife Gina.
Despite the traumatic incident, Aimone vows to return to work and deliver as soon as he is able to get hold of another car.
“I have a daughter and a son,” Ernie said. “I must live for them.”
His insurance company refuses to pay for a new car when he was knocked down while working
ONE GoFundMe created in response to the incident by the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce has so far raised over $40,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle, including a $1,000 donation from the pizzeria itself.
“He’s like a local legend,” Dan Ciolino told the audience. ‘He has been loyal to Joe’s for 40 years. He served our country. He deserves our support in his time of need.’