Volusia County Sheriff's deputies are investigating an incident in which a pizza delivery driver was assaulted with pepper spray and had his car stolen.
- Nicholas Mutchler, 22, a driver for Papa John's Pizza
- Mutchler was making a delivery when incident occurred
- Assailants acted as if they ordered the pizza, assaulted Mutchler as he waited for payment
Deputies say the incident occurred around 12:46 p.m. Saturday on the 800 block of Abbott Avenue in Deltona. Nicholas Mutchler, 22, a driver for Papa John's Pizza, was making a delivery when investigators say a suspect called out to him from across the street.
The suspect acted as though he ordered the pizzas. Mutchler reportedly met the suspect by his car, gave him the pizzas and awaited payment. The suspect reached into his pocket as if to get money, but instead pulled out the spray and used it on Mutchler.
The victim ran down the street calling for help. He told deputies he saw the suspect and two others get into his car and drive away.
Mutchler was taken to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City as a precaution.
Deputies describe the stolen car as a 2014 Dodge Avenger with several stickers on the back window and a Florida State University license plate. It was last seen westbound on I-4 near Exit 101C (Sanford/Mount Dora, SR 46).
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 911, 386-860-7030 or via Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 888-277-TIPS. Tips can also be sent via text by texting TIP231 plus the message to CRIMES.