It's a troubling sign when even those who serve us can't be spared from crime.
Daily Mail reported that an 81-year-old pizza delivery veteran in Chicago was brutally assaulted and robbed of his vehicle.
A beloved community figure faces violence
Last Wednesday, around 9 p.m., Ernie Aimone was making a routine delivery for Joe's on Higgins, where he has been a familiar face for over four decades. The attack happened shortly after he completed a delivery on North Ludlam Avenue in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
Crossing the street, Ernie was confronted by an assailant who demanded his car keys. Before he could react, he was struck in the face, knocked down, and left watching as the thief drove away with his car, a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Ernie, a retired Army Sergeant and a Vietnam War veteran chose not to resist further and stayed on the ground to avoid more harm.
Community rallies around a local icon
The Chicago Police have confirmed the carjacking incident, and the state police later found Ernie's vehicle severely damaged in a crash. Adding to the challenge, one teenager has been arrested in connection with the crime, but other suspects are still at large.
Despite this traumatic experience, Ernie is determined to return to work when he can secure another vehicle. His resilience is supported by the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce, which has started a GoFundMe campaign that has remarkably raised over $42,000 to help him purchase a new car.
However, there's a hurdle: Ernie's car insurance company is refusing to cover the replacement of the stolen vehicle since the carjacking occurred while he was on duty.
Messages of support and strength
Ernie Aimone shared his harrowing experience: "They said, 'Gimme the keys, gimme the keys,' And they sucker punched me from behind, hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life," as told ABC7.
The sentiment at Joe's Pizza is a mix of shock and support. Frank Demonte, whose family owns the restaurant, said, "He's like family to us. He's seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my Dad." Gina Demonte echoed this, noting, "Ernie's very special to us. Always has been."
A pillar of the community recognized
Dan Ciolino, a resident, describes Ernie as a "local legend" who has been indispensable to Joe's Pizza for the last 40 years. "He served our country. He deserves our support in his time of need," Dan remarked, highlighting the broad support for Ernie within his community.
As Ernie Aimone recovers from this ordeal, his story touches many in Chicago’s Northwest Side and beyond. It's a poignant reminder of the vulnerability that even the most respected community members can face and the collective resolve required to support them in times of adversity.
Conclusion
Ernie Aimone’s ordeal has sparked a significant outpouring of support from the community. Residents and friends are rallying together to help a man who is not just a delivery driver but a local legend, a veteran, and a dedicated family man. This incident underlines the necessity for community solidarity in the face of crimes that shake the foundation of our local neighborhoods.
