Pizza delivery man allegedly shoots attempted robber: Chicago Tribune

[Neo-Luddite]

If the fellow is delivering pizza we can assume he needs help when he's down.
They sound like they'd like to kick him to the curb--that's the path of HR policy.

Please if you are so inclined, remind them---RKBA types eat LOTS OF PIZZA!!!

And be nice. Baby steps--Can we save this guy's job?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-deliveryshooting,0,3474829.story


DES MOINES, Iowa - A man who police say was shot when he tried to rob a Pizza Hut delivery man has been charged with robbery.

Sgt. Vince Valdez says Kenneth Jimmerson, 19, of Des Moines tried to rob the delivery man, James Spiers, 38, at gunpoint Thursday night. Valdez says that Spiers had his own gun and shot Jimmerson.

Jimmerson has been charged with first-degree robbery. His fiance, Melanie Stout, 18, of Des Moines, is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

Valdez says Jimmerson will be taken to jail after he's released from the hospital. He says it's not clear if Spiers will be charged.




The investigation is continuing.

Spiers has been suspended from his job, according to Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources of Kansas-based NPC International, which owns nearly 900 Pizza Hut restaurants in 26 states, including the one where Spiers worked.

"Until we get all the facts we don't want to make any rash judgments on this," Walbert said.

Walbert said the company prohibits employees from carrying weapons on the job.

"We believe carrying weapons is not consistent with their safety," she said. "It's unusual that our employee shot his attacker. We have robberies, we are in the retail services and that happens. But it's very unusual that we have a situation such as this one."

 

[MICHAEL T]

Spiers has been suspended from his job,

"We believe carrying weapons is not consistent with their safety," she said. "It's unusual that our employee shot his attacker. We have robberies, we are in the retail services and that happens. But it's very unusual that we have a situation such as this one."

Wounder if Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources was being robbed at gun point if he would change his mind .
These corp people make me sick. They should all spend 1 mo a year makeing pizza and delivering in bad areas . then they might change their minds.

 

[CountGlockula]

I'll gladly support him by ordering my pizzas from other companys except Pizza Hut.

Round Table is the best.

 

[mekender]

good for him, i carried every day that i delivered, and thankfully i never needed it... i did have several friends that got robbed, and at least one was hurt badly... i vowed that i would rather be alive and fired from the pizza place than dead and still have a job...

 

[Sato Ord]

Yep, I delivered for Pizza Hut for a while. That was their policy, employees aren't supposed to carry weapons.

It wasn't a bad gig a few years ago before the price of gasoline went through the roof. With tips I averaged about fifteen bucks an hour and it was easy work.

I of course carried a big, six C-cell mag light as a billy club, and had my pistol in my car. I also never left my car until I had scoped the area pretty thoroughly. I knew they would fire me if they found out about the pistol, but I did it anyway. Lots of drivers carry weapons, but the corporate policy is in place to cover their butts, not the driver's.

 

[scrat]

Well lets hope everything turns out ok for this guy. Hopefully he can save his job and stay out of legal matters. Just sucks that the police department would even think of charging him with anything.

 

[Jdude]

Well, 'tis pizza friday for me. Sounds like the hut is off of the list.

Which pizza companies don't mind if their guys carry? Hurry up, I am hungry.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

"We believe carrying weapons is not consistent with their safety," she said. "It's unusual that our employee shot his attacker. We have robberies, we are in the retail services and that happens. But it's very unusual that we have a situation such as this one."

So their policy is the typical police-recommended "assume the fetal position, do whatever they want you to and plead with them not to hurt you"?
Counting on the voilent criminal's capacity for evil vs. compassion that particular day to save your life is a pretty stupid gamble to take.
I wouldn't want to work for a company that wouldn't back me up in after a situation like that anyway.

 

[Guitargod1985]

"Until we get all the facts we don't want to make any rash judgments on this," Walbert said.

Looks as if they've already made a rash judgment by suspending the guy.

"We believe carrying weapons is not consistent with their safety," she said. "It's unusual that our employee shot his attacker. We have robberies, we are in the retail services and that happens. But it's very unusual that we have a situation such as this one."

Just a shot in the dark here, but maybe the reason they've become so accustomed to being robbed at gunpoint is because people usually don't have the balls to shoot back. What they are really saying at HR is, "this guy had the stones to defend his life, so we are doing everything in our power to punish him for ruthlessly attacking that poor misunderstood robber."

This is just great. Now I not only have to boycott Domino's because of anti-RKBA policies, but I can add Pizza Hut to the list.

Looks like it's Papa John's or a mom and pop place from now on.

I'll be sending Pizza Hut a letter.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

My question is--is he suspended WITH pay and (if so entitled and enroled) medical bennies, etc. Doing THAT is a reasonable action in such a situation. My bet is that he isn't getting such fair and above-board decent treatment. He should be, at least.

Look--their boiler plate 'no weapon' policy is not going to bend to frontal attack--but if there is some way to let them 1) treat this guy fairly and pay him 2) let him quietly keep his job if he wants (he might not--who'd blame him).

He's a pizza guy--MANY of us have been or are now. It pays the bills, it is honorable work--but it isn't worth being hurt over.


Take 5 minutes--call and let them know how you feel. Tell them you like their pizza (or at least BUY it once in a while!)--and that YOU ARE CONFIDENT that they will stand by their employee James Spiers who was attacked in Des Moines, Iowa. Keep it that simple if you can.

Pizza Hut, Inc. 14841 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75254 Customer Feedback Phone: 1-800-948-8488



Pizza Hut, Inc. 14841 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75254 Customer Feedback Phone: 1-800-948-8488

 

[alaskanativeson]

So their policy is the typical police-recommended "assume the fetal position, do whatever they want you to and plead with them not to hurt you"?
Counting on the voilent criminal's capacity for evil vs. compassion that particular day to save your life is a pretty stupid gamble to take.

Very good points. I worked as an EMT and am unarmed security guard for 5 years. During that time I worked swing and graveyard shifts most of the time. My Glock was never far away from me. I have to agree that it's better to be fired and alive than to have my former company pick up the funeral costs for my widow. Wife agrees too.

 

[wideym]

Neo-Luddite: Pizza Hut does not offer medical insurance to delivery drivers and pretty sure they have not and will not suspend him with pay. And they tell empolyees about the no weapon policy when you are hired, expecially delivery drivers. I know since I delivered for Pizza Hut years ago. The policy then was to give the robber the Pizza and the money, make no attempt to stop them, and call the police when you are out of harms way. Yes it is a stupid policy that has probably gotten drivers killed, but atleast they were up front about it when they hire you.

Also I mainly delived around military bases where I was stationed and getting on and off post with a weapon can get you in BIG TROUBLE. I usually make lousy or no tips at military bases, but it was the safest place to deliver on earth.

 

[sniper5]

Unfortunately in our society today, you often have to make the choice between your freedom or job and your life.

Sad that we put people in the position of having to choose.

 

[bnkrazy]

I agree with Neo-Luddite. A quick note from a few hundred people will possibly go a long way to help this guy out. The contact info for the company that owns this particular franchise is below. Contacting Pizza Hut and the franchise owner surely can't hurt.

http://www.npcinternational.com/aboutus/contact_us

We welcome your feedback and or questions.

Send your comments to
[email protected]

Other contact information:

NPC International
7300 West 129th St.
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913-327-5555
Fax: 913-327-5850

 

[Neo-Luddite]

wideym--I assumed as much (I never worked for Pizza Hut, did date a waitress who was later a manager from there in college--and of course--delivered/ made pizza for several years off and on (HS and college+) for a local chain known well around Chicago that had no formal policy at the time I worked for them and makes the finest thin crust around--(--its name is Aurelio's and it was founded by the late Joe Aurelio in Homewood, IL and is run by his family still--they are good people).

By my nature I am sypathetic as it's just a rotten deal. Pizza Hut won't change their policy--but I bet we can encourage them to make this a 'special case' for the attacked employee.