Chicago, Illinois – An elderly Army veteran, Ernie Aimone, had been delivering pizzas in Chicago for over 40 years without fear – until last Wednesday, when he was robbed by teen carjackers on his route. The incident took a violent turn as one of the attackers punched him in the face, prompting Aimone to play dead while they fled with his car.
Aimone’s quick thinking and survival instincts helped him escape further harm, as he laid down and pretended to be unconscious until the attackers left with his vehicle. Despite the traumatic experience, Aimone emerged with only slight bruising to his face. His resilience and bravery shone through as he remained calm during the ordeal.
Hours after the carjacking, state police spotted Aimone’s car on an expressway, leading to a subsequent police chase that resulted in the thieves crashing the vehicle. One underage suspect, believed to be 15 years old, was arrested in connection with the incident.
The community rallied behind Aimone, launching a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the extensive damages to his car. The fundraising efforts quickly gained traction, raising over $54,000 in support of the beloved veteran who has been a fixture in the Northwest side of Chicago for decades.
Despite the harrowing experience, Aimone expressed his intention to continue delivering pizzas, citing his love for the job and the people he serves. His daughter, Robyn Aimone, shared the heartwarming response from the community, emphasizing the outpouring of love and respect for her father.
As Aimone reflects on the support from his community and his own resilience in the face of adversity, he stands as a symbol of courage and perseverance. The incident may have been traumatic, but it also highlighted the strength and unity of the community in uplifting a local hero like Aimone.