After just a month in business, Rutledge Avenue pizzeria Mia Pomodori was robbed Monday night. Around 9:30 p.m., owners Paul and Tiffany DeSantis were beginning to clean up when Tiffany noticed two teenagers wearing hoodies standing outside the store. Her gut instinct was “that’s odd,” but she didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Two minutes later they came inside and held up a rifle, demanding all of the money in the store.
“It was very surreal seeing them come through the front door,” Tiffany says. They cleaned out the register, Tiffany’s purse, Paul’s pockets, and took the cell phone and other items from the only customer in the store. They fled quickly on bikes and the DeSantis are thankfully safe.
“It was crushing,” says Tiffany, “but we’re not going to be scared away!” The DeSantis are in the process of putting in surveillance cameras and a security system to prevent any more crime. Customers have been hugging Tiffany when she delivers to them, or stopping in to talk with the family and share an extra slice of pizza. According to Tiffany, the outpouring of community support is helping the family business bounce back more quickly. —Anna Linesch
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