Camden Police arrested a teenager who they say robbed a pizza deliveryman and beat him with a baseball bat.
Last Sunday around 8 p.m., police say the 17-year-old teen lured an 18-year-old Sicklerville resident working for a Magnolia Pizza Hut to the 100 block of Ashland Avenue in Lawnside by calling in an order for a pizza delivery.
When the deliveryman arrived at the abandoned home, police say the teen attacked him and struck him in the head with a baseball bat. He then allegedly took between $80 and $150 from the victim’s pockets.
The attack left the deliveryman with severe head and facial injuries as well as partial paralysis. It’s unclear at this time whether the paralysis is permanent. The 18-year-old victim remains in critical but stable condition at Cooper Hospital in Camden.
Police say records that indicated the pizza deliver order was made from a phone belonging to the suspect’s foster mother are what led to the teenager’s arrest. Authorities also found the suspect’s wallet and a pay stub with his name on it, both stained with blood, at the scene of the assault. Police arrested the 17-year-old on Friday and say that he had what appeared to be blood on his clothes when he was taken into custody.
The teen is charged with robbery and aggravated assault. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office filed paperwork requesting the teen be waived to adult court. A waiver hearing will be scheduled for the suspect. A court appearance which won't address the question of waiver is scheduled for the teen January 18 at 9 a.m. before Family Court Judge Charles Dortch.
Police believe at least one other person was involved in the incident and are seeking information about the suspect and anyone else possibly involved in the assault.
Police continue to investigate a second robbery of a Magnolia pizza deliveryman last Monday. Investigators believe the robbery is related to Sunday’s incident. The victim in Monday’s robbery is a 33-year-old Maple Shade deliveryman for Seasons Pizza in Stratford. He was not injured. Anyone with information on this incident should call the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-225-8400 or Magnolia Police at 856-784-1884.
