Four Washington teens charged in pizza delivery robbery
Washington police have charged four city teenagers in last month’s armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver in the West End.
Robbery charges were filed Wednesday against Matthew Alexander Dillard, 17, of 145 Church St., Shane Patrick Duchi, 18, of 700 Fayette St., Shawn Keir Brown, 18, of 24 N. Wade Ave., and a 15-year-old boy in connection with the March 29 incident in the 800 block of Addison Street. Dillard, who allegedly pointed a revolver at the driver, also is charged as an adult with carrying a firearm without a license and criminal solicitation.
Detective Dan Rush, who filed the charges, said the school resource officer at the Intermediate Unit at Clark School gave him a tip about Dillard after reportedly hearing the 15-year-old talk about the robbery.
The day after the robbery, the Vocelli Pizza driver who was robbed saw Duchi, followed him home and provided police with the information. Rush went to Duchi’s home and said Dillard also was present.
The teens were brought in and questioned separately. While they admitted to the robbery, the stories they gave differed, Rush said.
The driver told Rush he was called to deliver a pizza to a home in the 800 block of Addison.
As he drove up to the address, the four teens reportedly approached his car, claiming to have placed the order.
They wanted to make the transaction on the street, the driver said.
Dillard allegedly asked the driver if he could make change for a $50 bill. The driver handed over the pizza and a beverage and reached into his pocket to get change. At that point, Dillard allegedly pointed the gun at the driver’s head and told him, “Give me the money or I will put a bullet in you.”
The driver handed over more than $100. The four also allegedly demanded the driver give them his wallet.
They reportedly took the cash, but handed back the wallet after the driver asked them to return it. The driver’s cellphone also was stolen, as were the keys to the vehicle.
The four then ran from the area. Police searched but were unable to locate the suspects that night.
Neither the weapon nor the driver’s keys have been found.
The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger after a date is scheduled for a preliminary hearing. The 15-year-old is charged in a juvenile allegation.