An elderly man who has delivered pizza in Chicago for 40 years was punched in the face and robbed before having his car stolen in a brazen carjacking on the city’s Northwest Side.
Ernie Aimone, 81, explained how the sudden attack came after he had made a delivery in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
A man approached from behind before striking 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 fearing 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 TV 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 put up a fight and instead remained on the ground as the attackers fled in his car.
‘They said, ‘gimme the keys, gimme the keys,” Aimone said to ABC7 ‘And they sucker punched me from behind, hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life.’
Chicago Police confirmed the incident occurred around 9pm on 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.
One teenage suspect has been apprehended, while the others remain at large.
Aimone has been a dedicated pizza delivery driver for Joe’s on Higgins for four decades and is said to be loved by both his coworkers and customers.
‘They said, ‘gimme the keys, gimme the keys,” Aimone said to ABC7 ‘And they sucker punched me from behind, hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life’
Aimone, a loyal employee of Joe’s Pizza for 40 years, plans to return to work once he gets another car – GoFundMe has helped pay towards his new vehicle. He is pictured alongside Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce, far left, Frank and Gina Demonte from the restaurant, and Aimone’s daughter, Robyn
The was a complete wreck and the car insurance company is refusing to pay for a new one
Police found Aimone’s car on the same evening of the attack but it has suffered damage
Ernie Aimone, 81, has worked at Joes for four decades and is a popular member of the community
‘He’s like family to us,’ said Frank Demonte with Joe’s. ‘He’s seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my Dad.’
‘Ernie’s very special to us. Always has been,’ added Frank’s wife Gina.
Despite the traumatic event, Aimone vows to return to work making deliveries as soon as he is able to obtain another car.
‘I got a daughter and a son,’ Ernie said. ‘I gotta live for them.’
His insurance company is refusing to pay for a new car as he was carjacked while working
A GoFundMe set up in response to the incident by the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce has so far raised almost $27,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, including a $1,000 donation from the pizza joint itself.
‘He’s like a local legend,’ said Dan Ciolino with the Chamber. ‘He’s been loyal to Joe’s for 40 years. He served our country. He deserves our support in his time of need.’