Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is urging pizza delivery drivers to take protective measures in light of a string of robberies in the city this year.
The most recent crime involved a driver being robbed at gunpoint in the 1800-block of Grosvenor Avenue this past weekend.
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The theft follows multiple robberies involving pizza delivery drivers.
“In the previous cases this year … we have seen different aspects to them all. We’ve seen physical force being involved right up to this weekend, a firearm being involved, so they’re a bit different,” said SPS spokesperson Kelsie Fraser.
“There were some that we believed at the beginning of the year to be linked, they’re still under investigation but we don’t believe this one from the past weekend to be part of that.”
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SPS has these steps drivers can take to stay safe on the job:
- Don’t carry more cash than is required;
- Be aware of one’s surroundings at all times and check for suspicious persons or vehicles nearby;
- Call back to verify the order and the address;
- Keep doors locked and vehicle windows rolled up; and
- When pulling up to a house, make sure there are signs of activity and it’s not vacant.
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Fraser said their Community Liaison Officers (CLO) have reached out and directly contacted pizza businesses that deliver to talk to them about these preventative measures.
“I wouldn’t say they’re a targeted group, necessarily, it’s unfortunately the nature of that job in that they do carry cash … in lots of instances they’re crimes of opportunity.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Saskatoon police at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Joel Senick contributed to this story