Police probe beating of pizza delivery man
Law enforcement officials also looking into graffiti spree last weekend
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Friday, November 28, 2008 10:40 AM PST
Ontario — The Ontario Police Department is currently investigating an assault on an area pizza delivery man that occurred Sunday night.
OPD Capt. Mark Alexander said a 21-year-old Pizza Hut employee from Payette was attempting to deliver pizzas in the 700 block of Northwest Second Street when he was assaulted by two men who took the two pizzas and a delivery bag at around 10 p.m. Sunday. Alexander said one of the men was wearing a black jacket, stocking cap and dark jeans, with the other man wearing a white and blue jacket, with a hood, a black mask and dark jeans.
“He sustained some minor injuries and his glasses were broken,” Alexander said about the delivery man.
The two men were last seen running south from where the incident occurred.
Alexander said the saga began when Pizza Hut received an order for pizzas, indicating an address on Northwest. Eighth Avenue. The caller later called back and said the address was actually in the 700 block of Northwest Second Avenue. The delivery person could not find the address and continued onto Northwest Second Street, where he was assaulted.
“We’re interested in any information anyone might have,” Alexander said.
Police also made three arrests stemming from a burglary and kidnapping just after midnight Monday.
Alexander said three men forcibly entered a residence located on Southwest Ninth Avenue where they found a 45-year-old man and 56-year-old man inside.
“There appeared to be a misunderstanding over a financial debt,” Alexander said. “One man (the 45-year-old) was pulled outside.”
The three males then departed, leaving the 45-year-old male behind, in a Chevy Blazer.
The men were apprehended on U.S. Highway 26, near Vale, with the assistance of the Malheur County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police.
Thomas Busby, 36, Bend, Wesley Quant, 27, John Day, and Fritz Voight, 27, Prairie City, were all arrested for burglary in the first degree, assault in the first degree and kidnapping.
Alexander said when an individual is forcibly moved from one place to another it is described as kidnapping, while forcibly entering a home without the right to do so to be a burglary.
An OPD officer also spoke to three Ontario youths, which led to one arrest for possession of methaphetamines.
Alexander said the officer was on patrol near N.W. Seventh Avenue and Oregon Street when he observed three juveniles walking in an alleyway. OPD is also looking for information regarding a string of graffiti throughout the southwestern part of Ontario over the weekend. Alexander said eight cases, all gang-related, were reported at 9:30 a.m. and were scattered around Southeast Second Street and Southwest Ninth Avenue.
OPD currently has no suspects in the graffiti spree.
