Thugs sucker punch 'local legend' Vietnam vet, 81, while he's delivering pizzas in Chicago — then steal, crash his car

Ernie Aimone — an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran — has been delivering pizzas for Joe's on Higgins in Chicago for the last 40 years, WLS-TV reported.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Aimone was on the job like always Wednesday night, having just delivered a pizza in the Jefferson Park neighborhood on the city's northwest side, the station said.

While Aimone was crossing the street in the 5300 block of North Ludlam Avenue just after 9 p.m., he said he got punched from behind and ended up on the ground, WLS reported.

"They said, 'Gimme the keys, gimme the keys,'" Aimone recounted to the station. "And they sucker punched me from behind, hit me in the face. I was afraid for my life."

Aimone told WLS he didn't fight back and stayed face down in the street and listened as his assailants took off in his car. Chicago police confirmed Aimone's account, the station said, adding that state police hours later found Aimone's 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe on an expressway.

Turns out a chase ensued, after which the car crashed and sustained major damage, WLS noted, adding that police arrested a teen suspect and are looking for others.

"He's like family to us," Frank Demonte with Joe's on Higgins told the station. "He's seen me grow up from very young. He worked for my dad."

Gina Demonte, also with Joe's on Higgins, added to WLS that "Ernie's very special to us. Always has been."

What's more, the station said many customers specifically request Aimone to deliver their pizzas.

With all the accolades around him, folks in the community offered to step up and help once word got out about what happened to Aimone, WLS said.

"He's like a local legend," Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce told the station. "He's been loyal to Joe's for 40 years. He served our country. He deserves our support in his time of need."

Aimone's daughter Robyn told WLS, "It could have been a lot worse. I don't know what I would do without him."

Image source: YouTube screenshot

'I gotta live for them'

Despite an experience that would sideline many people, Aimone told the station he's not giving up — and will get right back to work once he has a car again.

"I got a daughter and a son," he told WLS. "I gotta live for them."

It seems Aimone might be able to get a new set of wheels pretty fast, as the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce started a GoFundMe page to support him — and as of Monday afternoon, more than $46,600 of the $75,000 goal has been raised.

From the GoFundMe campaign:

Vietnam Veteran Ernie Aimone has been a fixture on the Northwest side of Chicago for over 40 years and been a part of the team at Joe's Pizza for just as long — in fact he more than likely has delivered you and your family a pizza during that time if you ordered from Joe's! He's a proud Chicagoan, and proud Sgt. (retired) of the United States Army, serving in Vietnam for multiple tours. While he's become a bit of a local legend, he has fallen on hard times as of late. Just a few nights ago, Ernie was carjacked by multiple individuals, who stole his phone, took his car for a joyride, and left the vehicle extremely damaged. Ernie's main source of income is through delivering pizza for Joe's, and his insurance company wants to deny his claim, as he was carjacked while working. Not certain if he'll be able to pay for the repairs, or potentially for a vehicle which will allow him to continue working, our community is stepping in to help out! It's at times like these where our friends and neighbors need us most! Please consider donating whatever amount you can in support of Ernie in the hopes of getting things turned around for him! Ernie proudly served his country, and has been delivering to our community for years; and now it's time for us to deliver for him!

81-year-old veteran, pizza delivery man attacked, carjacked in Chicago: 'They sucker punched me'youtu.be

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