A Vietnam veteran was punched by teenagers before they stole his 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe and crashed it after a brief chase with police.
Ernie Aimone, 81, was out delivering pizzas in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood Wednesday night when a group of teenagers ambushed him.
“They said, ‘Give me the keys’ and punched me from behind, in the face. I was scared for my life,” Ernie Aimone told ABC 7 Chicago. “I have a daughter and a son. I have to live for them.
He said he didn’t react. She lay face down in the street as the boys made off with their cell phone and car.
Several hours later, police spotted Ernie’s Hyundai on the freeway. The suspect crashed the Hyundai after a brief incident.
Ernie has worked as a delivery driver for Joe’s in Higgins for the past 40 years and most customers ask him to deliver their pies.
Ernie Aimone is a celebrity in the community. Everyone loves him and describes him as “family”.
A GoFundMe has been set up to pay for car repairs or to buy a new one so Ernie can start delivering pizzas again.
“Although he has become something of a local legend, he has been going through a rough patch lately. Just a few nights ago, Ernie had his car robbed by multiple people, who stole his phone, took his car for a spin and left the vehicle extremely damaged.” said the GoFundMe, set up by the Chamber of Gladstone Park business.
Only one teenager has been arrested so far.
More on this story from ABC 7 Chicago: