Suspect held in attack on pizza man

Police yesterday arrested one of at least two people who they believe shot and robbed a South Philadelphia pizza delivery man this week.

Larry Franklin, 17, of the 1900 block of Wilder Street, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses.

Police are searching for at least one other person, and said two others might have been involved in the attack.

The delivery driver, whose name was not released, was in stable condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital yesterday.

The driver, who works for J&J Pizza at Ninth and Federal Streets, was making a delivery in the 1500 block of Carlisle Street shortly before 12:01 a.m. Thursday, police said.

He parked and approached a man standing on the steps of the address where he was to make the delivery. The driver asked the man if he had ordered food, police said. The man said he had and took the pizza. Then a second man came from behind and put a gun to the delivery man's head. The men searched the victim's pockets and car, taking money and a phone, police said.

Afterward, the men ordered the driver to lie facedown on the ground, then shot him in the back and fled on foot.