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Pizza delivery drivers refuse service to some areas after rash of robberies

PITTSBURGH — In just one week, three pizza delivery drivers were robbed in the Pittsburgh area. This alarming trend has some workers simply refusing to deliver to high-risk areas.

Target 11 investigator Rick Earle reported Tuesday that police say most of the time, the robberies are set up from the beginning.

Investigators said one person will phone in an order, and when the driver gets out of his or her car, the robbers move in.

Last week Nurik Ismoilov was robbed and attacked at an apartment complex in the Hill District. He told Earle that he tried to fight back, but the robbers were able to get away with his car.

“Four or five guys, everybody just came at me,” Ismoilov said. “Everything, all gone.”

Ismoilov told Earle a woman approached him and acted like she was going to pay for the pizza when the men moved in and roughed him up.

Another robbery of a driver was reported last month in Northview Heights.

A separate holdup was also reported in Garfield. Police told Earle they could be connected.

“A couple of them in the districts are probably connected. Generally they don’t jump over from one area of the city to do it,” Pittsburgh police Sgt. Mike Pilyih said.

Authorities are advising drivers to be on alert and take necessary precautions.