NEWS RELEASE

In the evening hours of July 19, 2014, Domino’s Pizza, located in the 700 block of 8th Street, received an order for $78.00 of pizza, wings, and breadsticks to be delivered to the area of the 500 block of 13th Place in Vero Beach. The pizza delivery driver told deputies that when he arrived, he was attacked by one black male, one hispanic male, one white male, and one black female who all appeared to be juveniles.

The driver was struck numerous times in the face and head causing his glasses and hat to fall off. He eventually fell to the ground during the attack. The juveniles took the pizzas and items from his pockets before fleeing on foot. Fortunately, the delivery driver was able to retain his cellular telephone and call 9-1-1, just seconds after the attack.

Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Dispatch received the 9-1-1 call and immediately dispatched patrol deputies and K9 Deputies Christian Mathisen and James Dixon to the area. Indian River County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Hawk, was also on scene searching for the suspects. Deputy Mathisen and his K9 partner Marco began tracking in the area where the pizza delivery driver last saw the suspects.

Deputy Mathisen stated, “I knew Marco was on to them as we crossed over a ditch. I could see obvious running tracks and knew they weren’t far.” K9 Marco led Deputies Mathisen and Dixon to a carport in the 1400 block of 6th Avenue, Deputy Mathisen observed the face of a young black male protruding from a pile of miscellaneous items on the ground. Commands were given to the male to show his hands and he complied. To their surprise, a young black female was also hiding in the pile of items and came out with her hands up.

Both juveniles were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office where they were interviewed by Detective Joseph Abollo. The juveniles, 17 and 15, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to rob and attack the pizza delivery driver. Further identifying information was obtained regarding the other two juveniles who participated in this conspiracy and robbery. Today, detectives continue this investigation and plan to apprehend the others who were involved.

Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “We work hard every day to ensure the integrity of our community. We will not tolerate this type of activity. This event showcases the training and skills of our patrol and canine deputies. They were able to safely establish a perimeter and apprehend these juveniles without anyone else getting hurt.”