Delivery drivers under attack in Lynn, police investigating

LYNN, Mass. – Delivery drivers in Lynn are coming under attack while on their routes, and now investigators are working in overdrive to solve track down the criminals.

Police sources tell Boston 25 News at least three delivery drivers have been targeted in the city in less than a week.

One of them used his delivery bag to fight off a knife-wielding would-be-robber.

The man, who we’re not identifying for his protection, said he was ambushed right after making a delivery on Jackson Street around 11 p.m. on Sunday.

“As I passed, he jumped out and asked for my money,” he explained. “He tried to stab me. I hit the guy in the face with my bag.

The delivery driver said the tussle lasted for several minutes as he repeatedly swung his bag in an effort to disarm the suspect.

It’s not the first time he’s been faced with danger on the job in recent weeks.

The father of two teenagers said he had a gun pointed at him last month during what turned out to be a phony delivery call.

He describes this latest confrontation as much scarier, saying “the guy just wouldn’t give up”.

“I almost lose my life because I fight for my life,” he said. “I did a very stupid thing.”

A fellow delivery driver at the same pizza joint said he was faced with a similar confrontation on Chatham Street on Monday.

Sources confirmed a report of a third driver being targeted in Lynn this week.

Investigators said there have been on-going reports of crimes against Lynn delivery drivers in recent months.

Several Lynn delivery drivers told Boston 25 News they are now arming themselves for protection.

“It’s never been more dangerous. I was born in Lynn. I’ve never seen the city like this. It’s like a third world country,” said delivery driver Kevin Barry. “I just won’t work this job without a gun in my pocket. It’s so dangerous.”

Drivers told us they are especially on guard after dark.

“Some have baseball bats. Some carry knives. Others carry other means of protection,” explained delivery driver Justin Kelleher.

The victim targeted on Sunday said his screams for help are finally what sent the suspect running away empty handed.

Detectives haven’t said if any of the recent robberies and robbery attempts in the city could be connected.

A police spokesman said limited information is being released because of the active, on-going nature of the investigation.

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