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Trio accused of robbing delivery driver of chicken wings arrested

DONORA, Pa. — Police have arrested three suspects accused of robbing a pizza delivery driver of chicken wings Tuesday night in Donora.

According to police, the incident was reported just before 10 p.m. on Short Street. Hal Perry, who works for Italian Pizza Village in Belle Vernon, told police he was approached by three men who demanded money.

“I went to an address that looked legitimate to me. I got out of the vehicle, and three of them came around the corner. One of them walked behind me and I knew something was wrong. Then one grabbed the wings, one went over to the van and one tried going through my pockets,” Perry said.

Perry told detectives that one of the men searched his pants pockets and one searched the vehicle for money. He said the men took off with the chicken wings, valued at almost $18, when he pulled out a gun.

“I didn’t know if (the one searching me) had a knife so I took a couple steps back, bent over and drew my weapon. As soon as they saw that, they took off running. As they left they threw something. It turned out to be a pellet gun,” Perry said.

Police said Perry was able to give a detailed description of one of the suspects. Tyler Hall, 18, and Dorian Ellis, 18, were arrested a short time later while they were eating the wings on a street corner. The third suspect, a juvenile from Donora, fled the scene on foot. He was later arrested in Ohio, police said.

“I didn’t have to shoot. But if he had brandished the weapon, I would have had no problem shooting. That’s why I carry a weapon,” Perry said. “I think they were very surprised when I pulled the pistol.”

Perry told Channel 11’s Cara Sapida that he works as a delivery driver as a second job to support his family.

“I’ve never had to pull my weapon before. I’ve been doing this for six years part time. I have a full-time job during the day. I work three or four nights a week at night just to support my family,” he said.

Hall and Ellis are charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy, terroristic threats and loitering/prowling at night, police said.

“Well, that’s what you get when you bring a toy gun to a real gun fight. Why do a stupid thing like that? Why lose your life over $10 wings or $100,” Perry said.

Hall and Ellis were sent to the Washington County Correctional Facility, each in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bond. They face preliminary hearings Nov. 27 in Washington County Central Court.