Delivery driver robbed, teen arrested

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A 17-year-old girl has been arrested for allegedly robbing a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint Monday evening.

According to Lou Thurston with the Newport News Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 1st block of Rebecca Place.

The delivery driver told police the home he arrived to had a "For Sale" sign outside, but he saw lights inside the home, so he knocked on the door.

When no one answered, he walked back to his car, and was attacked by two people who robbed him of food and money at gunpoint.

"I'm certainly glad that the driver didn't get hurt, because there has been taxi and pizza drivers that get robbed and end up getting hurt or killed," Newport News resident Irvin Coleman said.

Thurston said the delivery driver got back into his car and followed the two suspects who rode away on bikes until police were able to catch up with one of them.

A teen girl was arrested in the 400 block of Morrison Avenue and had a gun with her. She was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and misdemeanor possession of a firearm under the age of 18.

"Anyone who can actually commit a crime like that, they certainly need to be caught," Coleman said. "They need to pay for the crime they commit."

Police are still looking for the second suspect.

"I hope they catch the other one," Coleman said. "Hopefully they have enough clues to find him. It's just very sad that this happened."

Thurston said police are investigating whether the incident is related to two robberies of delivery drivers earlier this month. In those cases, the drivers were also sent to deliver pizza to homes with "For Sale" signs.

Jan. 2, the delivery driver was approached by a black female standing 5’5” to 5’6” with a bandana covering her face. She brandished a handgun and stole cash, an ATM card and the pizza, Eley said.

Eley said Jan. 6, the driver was again approached by a black female, while a second suspect who stood back is believed to be male. Only cash was taken in the robbery.