81-year-old pizza delivery driver sucker-punched in carjacking: ‘I was afraid for my life’

CHICAGO (WLS) - After an 81-year-old pizza delivery driver and Vietnam veteran was carjacked, the Chicago community stepped up, raising more than $16,000 to help pay for repairs. Police arrested a teenager in the case and are still looking for possible accomplices.

Ernie Aimone, 81, was crossing the street around 9 p.m. Wednesday after delivering a pizza in the Jefferson Park neighborhood when he says a man walked up from behind him. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground.

“They said, ‘Give me the keys’ and sucker-punched me from behind, hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life,” Ernie Aimone said. “I got a daughter and a son. I gotta live for them.”

He did not fight back, instead staying face down on the street and listening as the suspects took off in his car, a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe.

“It could have been a lot worse. He couldn’t come home. He wouldn’t have come home that day. I don’t know what I would have done without him,” said Ernie’s daughter, Robyn Aimone.

Hours after the carjacking, state police spotted the Hyundai on the expressway. After a short chase, the car crashed, leaving major damage. Police arrested one teenage suspect and are still looking for others.

Ernie Aimone, who is a Vietnam veteran, has delivered pizza for Joe’s on Higgins for the last 40 years. Many customers, in fact, request that it’s him who brings their pizza.

“He’s like family to us. He’s seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my dad,” said Frank Demonte with Joe’s.

“Ernie’s very special to us, always has been,” said Gina Demonte with Joe’s.

When word got out about the carjacking, many people in the community offered to help Aimone. The Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce started a GoFundMe for car repairs or possibly an entirely new vehicle. It has raised more than $16,000, as of Saturday night.

“He’s like a local legend. He’s loyal to Joe’s for 40 years, served our country, and he deserves our support in his time of need,” said Dan Ciolino with the chamber of commerce.

Despite the incident, Ernie Aimone says he’s not quitting his job. As soon as he gets a new car, he plans to resume delivering pizzas.

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