Domino’s driver throws pizza at robbery suspects

Criminals thwarted by icy road, then fire gunshots

Multiple gunshots were fired following an attempted carjacking involving a pizza delivery driver in Portland early Wednesday that led to a police chase into New Haven.

The attempted car theft was reported around 1 a.m. as a Domino’s Pizza driver was making a delivery on Waverly Avenue, according to the Portland Police Department. Two suspects wearing masks and dressed in dark clothing approached as the delivery driver got out of the vehicle, with one of the suspects getting into the driver’s seat and the other into the passenger side of the vehicle.

As the suspects tried to flee the area, the vehicle got stuck on an icy road, at which point the delivery driver threw pizza at the suspects, police said. The suspects then abandoned the vehicle and got into another vehicle that was waiting nearby, according to police.

The delivery driver followed the vehicle the suspects fled in before one of them reached out of the window and fired multiple shots, police said. No injuries were reported.

The Domino’s driver slowed down after the shots and watched from a distance as the suspects made their way across the Arrigoni Bridge and into Middletown, according to police.

Portland police said members of the Middletown Police Department tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver continued until reaching New Haven. Once the vehicle stopped, four suspects got out and fled, according to police.

Authorities used a police K-9 but were unable to find the suspects, police said.

Police during the search did locate a 16-year-old who had been reported missing from

Meriden. The juvenile was returned to his mother. Police have not said whether the teen could have been connected to the investigation.

Authorities later learned that the vehicle the suspects were using was stolen in Hamden.

Police are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the Portland Police Department at 860-342-6780.