This story has bothered me all day

[Haole Girl]

Heard about it on the Kid Kraddick show this morning, on the way to work.

So sad. :cry:


http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091005_mo_pizzajump.1eb8adc1e.html


Teens use bat to beat man, 66, delivering pizzas

02:36 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 6, 2009

By DARLA MILES / WFAA-TV

FORT WORTH - A 66-year-old Fort Worth man is in intensive care with major head and brain injuries after he was beaten with a baseball bat while delivering pizzas.

Frederick Rein is known as a nice guy. In fact, he would sometimes buy pizzas for the families he delivered to if he really thought they couldn't afford it once showed up at their door.

A Georgetown graduate and former Air Force captain, Rein would put on his blue T-shirt and a baseball hat to tote around hot pizzas and talk with customers.

"He was in pharmaceutical sales for many years and the company he was with went under when he was about 56," said Jackie Rein, his wife. "He thought he could get another job. But, at that age, nobody would hire him."

During his search, he decided one weekend to pitch in at his daughter's job at Domino's Pizza. He liked meeting new people, kids and pets. Ten years later, he is still delivering pizzas.

"He's really kind of like a little puppy dog," Mrs. Rein said. "He's just a sweet man. He jokes and laughs and loves people."

On Saturday night, Rein went to deliver a pizza in the 1200 block of Bessie Street in Fort Worth. The house was dark and vacant. When he got out of the car, three Hispanic teens jumped out and started beating him with an aluminum baseball bat. They took the pizza and ran off with his cash.

"Well, we're pretty mad about this," his wife said. "It's one of those things where you would like to find them yourself."

But, for now, Mrs. Rein said her priority is helping with her husband's recovery.

Domino's said they are beefing up their security measures and also plan to meet with their competitors about how to keep drivers safe. They also plan to post a reward for information on the crime.

[Tobin S.]

1. For what pizza delivery people do

they are seriously underpaid. I've heard of one getting killed around where I live over about $40. I used to work at a Pizza Hut making pizzas when I was a teenager. I was always hearing the delivery drivers complaining about getting a cheap tip or nothing at all. I don't eat pizza anymore, but when I did I would always set up the pizza delivery person with a nice tip.

[Haole Girl]

2. I'm still reading about it...

3 teenage boys have admitted to it (two 16 year olds, one 15 yr old).

Link: http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1675324.html

[realisticphish]

4. no kidding

a friend of mine was robbed three times while delivering pizzas.

[Danger Mouse]

3. Former coworker of mine used to deliver pizzas on the side...

he just barely avoided being jumped one time. Turns out that some dirtbags were robbing deliverymen...but were dumb enough to use the same address each time. The cops caught on, and they happened to be in the shop when they tried it again with this guy's pizza place.

[Haole Girl]

5. I really didn't realize it was happening so frequently

The story of the man in Fort Worth just made me think of the line "Why bad things happen to good people."
Even though I read that book (my sister gave it to me after my mother's death) it always strikes me as inexplicable... and ultimately ironic. Here was a guy who would give his last dime to somebody if they needed it. It's crazy.

[SeattleGirl]

6. MrSG used to deliver pizza as a second job, and was threatened

one night while delivering to an apartment complex. Stairwells weren't well lit, and these 4 guys were basically lying in wait for whomever came along. He was the unlucky one. Fortunately, someone else came up the stairs when things were close to getting out of hand, and the assholes scattered.

Nope, they don't get paid nearly enough, and lots of people don't tip either.

That poor man. I hope he recovers from the beating, and I hope those damned kids get the book thrown at them.

[Haole Girl]

7. Wow.. that was close.

Glad he got out of that situation!

There are some other things the WFAA link I posted didn't get into. The man (who was beaten) took in three of his grandchildren to raise (one has autism). And his wife suffers from MS.

[SeattleGirl]

8. Oh good lord! That makes me want to beat the crap out of those

kids! Not that I would, but damn! That poor man.

:cry: