Delivery Drivers Relieved After Four Teens Linked To Several Armed Pizza Robberies

ROCKFORD - The arrest of four minors in connection with a pizza delivery driver robbery has some delivery drivers breathing a sigh of relief after Rockford Police connect them to two other pizza delivery driver robberies last month.  The juveniles, three 15 year-olds and one 16 year-old, were also connected to a residential burglary in the 3800 block of Tennessee Drive. 

Rockford Police initially arrested the four for their involvement with the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver in the 2700 block of Colorado Avenue on January 31^st.  Police arrested them inside a residence in the 3200 block of Greendale Drive.  After consulting the Winnebago County State's Attorneys office, police were able to connect them to two other armed robberies of pizza delivery drivers in the 3500 block of Greendale Drive on January 25^th & January 26^th.

Dean Loria has been delivering pizzas in Rockford for almost 30 years, all for his family's business Primo's Restaurant.  Having delivered pizzas for almost three decades, Loria says he's only been robbed once.

"About 20 years ago, some punks just stole the pizzas I was delivering and that's about it," said Loria.

But Loria says he's certainly had to deliver food to some pretty sketchy places.

"There have been times where the place is dark or there's just nothing going on in the area, or it looks unlived in," said Loria.  "I'm not going to get out of the car.  I'll just bring it back here."

Loria's common sense approach to iffy situations is the exact same advice that Rockford Police Lt. Marc Welsh says he would give to other drivers.

"If you think it's an iffy situation, I wouldn't deliver the pizza.  It's certainly up to the businesses to decide when and where they're going to deliver pizzas," said Lt. Welsh.

"There may also be certain things that drivers can do to lower their risks a little bit, like maybe when they get to the address they can have the individual come out to the car rather than going to the door."

The three different delivery driver armed robberies committed by the four juveniles targeted three different delivery drivers from three different delivery restaurants.  In the wake of these robberies, Lt. Welsh says it's time to talk with these businesses.

"Down the road we plan on meeting with the pizza delivery businesses, Italian restaurants and have a meeting with them to discuss the risks of delivering pizzas and what tools they can use to maybe lower the risks to their drivers," said Lt. Welsh.

Delivery driver Loria stands over six feet tall and it's easy to see he's a big guy.  Safe to assume nobody would probably hold up Dean Loria, but if he was Loria says he'd give in.

"Just let them have what they want," said Loria.  "No sense in getting hurt over pizza."