Update: Police investigate delivery robberies

By: Kayla Bremer
kbremer@klkntv.com

The delivery drivers from Toppers Pizza in Lincoln are used to being out by themselves late into the night. The pizzeria is open until 3:00 a.m. and most days their jobs are pretty straight forward.

But two armed robberies Sunday night involving delivery drivers, including one of Toppers’, has employees concerned.

“Not to be in a safe work environment is definitely an issue,” Asst. Manager Timothy Aksmit said. “It’s something you know, every business strives for to make sure their employees feel safe so that’s how we feel, it’s just really disappointing.”

The first robbery happened Sunday around 9:00 p.m. near 18th and E St. Police say a 24–year–old Toppers delivery driver was approached by a man armed with a handgun. They say the suspect got away with his money and cell phone.

Then two hours later, another robbery near 16th and C St.

Police say this time it was a Jimmy John’s driver who was in his car when an armed man demanded his wallet and phone.

“Most likely, the deliveries themselves were just a ruse to get the driver into that area,” Officer Katie Flood said. “We believe they were most likely set up.”

The assistant manager from Toppers says this isn’t the first time one of their drivers has been targeted. Due to company policy, employees can’t carry any weapons when making deliveries but they do follow some basic rules to keep their employees safe like only carrying a small amount of cash, and calling and verifying addresses from online orders.

“They have the right, if they feel like a situation isn’t safe, they have the right to not make that delivery,” Aksmit said.

Police do believe the two crimes are related based on the suspect’s description. He’s described as a black male in his 20’s, about 5’7″, with a thin build and shaved head.

The robberies are still under investigation.

Thankfully no one was injured.