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At 81 years old, Ernie Aimone has been delivering pizzas for Joe’s on Higgins in Chicago for the last 40 years.”He’s like family to us,” said Frank Demonte with Joes. “He’s seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my Dad.” That close bond led to heightened concern for Aimone after he was robbed and carjacked while he was out delivering pizzas. WLS reports Aimone was crossing a street when someone approached him from behind. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground. “They said give me the keys, give me the keys,” he told the outlet. “And they sucker punched me from behind. Hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life.”Aimone stayed down until he heard his car take off. Illinois police found the car a few hours later. After a short chase, it crashed, leaving major damage to the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. WLS reports one teenage suspect was taken into custody and police are still looking for others. “Ernie’s very special to us,” Gina Demonte said. “Always has been.”The Vietnam War veteran is a popular employee at Joe’s, where many customers request him as their delivery driver. “He’s like a local legend,” said Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce. He’s loyal to Joes for 40 years. Served our country. And he deserves our support in his time of need.””It could have been a lot worse,” Aimone’s daughter Robyn said. “I don’t know what I would have done without him.”Despite what happened, Aimone said he’s not quitting his job. Once he has his new car, he says he plans to get right back to work delivering pizzas.
At 81 years old, Ernie Aimone has been delivering pizzas for Joe’s on Higgins in Chicago for the last 40 years.
“He’s like family to us,” said Frank Demonte with Joes. “He’s seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my Dad.”
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That close bond led to heightened concern for Aimone after he was robbed and carjacked while he was out delivering pizzas.
WLS reports Aimone was crossing a street when someone approached him from behind. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground.
“They said give me the keys, give me the keys,” he told the outlet. “And they sucker punched me from behind. Hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life.”
Aimone stayed down until he heard his car take off.
Illinois police found the car a few hours later. After a short chase, it crashed, leaving major damage to the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. WLS reports one teenage suspect was taken into custody and police are still looking for others.
“Ernie’s very special to us,” Gina Demonte said. “Always has been.”
The Vietnam War veteran is a popular employee at Joe’s, where many customers request him as their delivery driver.
“He’s like a local legend,” said Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce. He’s loyal to Joes for 40 years. Served our country. And he deserves our support in his time of need.”
“It could have been a lot worse,” Aimone’s daughter Robyn said. “I don’t know what I would have done without him.”
Despite what happened, Aimone said he’s not quitting his job. Once he has his new car, he says he plans to get right back to work delivering pizzas.