For being a hero of the foodservice industry, Capital Region delivery drivers are having a tough time right now. While restaurants and apps try to get over an almost unfillable delivery demand that's existed ever since COVID lockdowns, astronomical gas prices and inflation are keeping more drivers off the streets and looking for other lines of work.

Rowan Freeman on Unsplash
Rowan Freeman on Unsplash
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Now those that are left may be facing a dangerous new threat, highlighted by a brazen daylight carjacking on Saturday morning, July 9.

When a driver was attempting a delivery to Peyster Street, near the College of Saint Rose, two men approached his car just before 11am. They asked the driver to get out of his car, and he did. This is when the two men proceeded to start beating the driver until he was on the ground as punches and kicks rained down.

Peyster St. seen here highlighted in red. Map Courtesy: Google
Peyster St. seen here highlighted in red. Map Courtesy: Google
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To make matters ever worse, while the first two men assaulted the driver, a third ran up, hopped behind the wheel, and drove off with his car.

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According to the Times Union, a witness suspects the driver may be the latest in a robbery ring that lures delivery vehicles to Peyster Street with orders for the sole intent of taking the drivers for all they have. This stretch of road is used because of the lack of nearby home security cameras, which police will often use in cases like this to identify criminals.

Getty Images
Getty Images
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Unfortunately a detailed description of the suspects was not obtained, and the only thing we know is that they were all wearing dark clothing.

There has been increasing violence towards food delivery workers as the demand for their services grows - so much so that apps like DoorDash have been forced to add  security features like panic buttons tied to security companies like ADT.

DoorDash
DoorDash
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While nothing about a theft ring targeting these drivers has been officially confirmed by Albany Police, you'd think that those in the neighborhood would be aware of something like this. My apologies to the people who live there and want food, but if you're a delivery driver, you may want to skip Peyster Street until these lowlifes are caught.

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