Community on alert following food delivery robberies - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Recent crimes in Richmond's southside has neighbors and businesses on guard. A food delivery driver was robbed while dropping off an order near Broad Rock Boulevard.

NBC12 spoke to the president of the Broad Rock Merchant's Association. He says these crimes will be at the top of their list at the next community meeting.

The president was also a victim of a robbery not too long ago. Two men stormed his store and put a gun to his wife's head while they stole money and merchandise.

He says he understands the need to put a stop to this crime so other businesses will continue to operate in this part of town.

The recent robbery of a Chinese restaurant delivery driver has many neighbors on guard. Among them is Red Carr, Owner of Carr Texaco Service, just a mile down the road. As the Broad Rock Merchants Association President, it's his role to bring up community issues to police and city council leaders.

"It's very important because you get to know the police officers and they get to know you," Carr noted. "You have a working relationship with the police department."

Saturday night, a Lucky Chinese Delivery driver was robbed and injured while dropping off an order about a half a mile away from Carr's shop.

"Yes, it's very scary and very frightening," Car added. "When the sun goes down, the robbers and stealers come out."

In May, Carr's wife was robbed when two men stormed into their store. One put a shot gun to her head and demanded money.

"It happens so fast, you don't have a chance to defend yourself," Carr said.

It's the first time Carr's store has been hit in 42 years. He doesn't want the recent crimes to discourage other business from setting up shop.

"It would help everybody in the neighborhood if more people were vigilant and did pay attention to what's going on because when they ran from my place nobody saw them," Carr added.

Community policing is a message Carr stresses in every meeting. In the past seven months, NBC12 has covered at least five robberies involving food delivery drivers in Richmond.

"It seems like it's all around us for some reason and I don't know why," he said.

Carr and neighbors nearby say they'll pay closer attention so they can help prevent these violent crimes.

Police are still looking for the two suspects in Saturday night's robbery of the Chinese food delivery driver.

If you saw or heard anything on Burtwood Lane that night, you're encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Police say it's important that drivers never deliver on poorly lit streets, and always verify the name and phone number before arriving to that address.

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