Homeless man charged in pizza theft

A man who police said is homeless was arrested Sunday night on robbery charges after placing orders at a Uniondale pizzeria and then stealing a pizza from a delivery man, Nassau police said Monday.

Third Squad detectives said Anthony J. Pannell, 26, first ordered a pizza for delivery from Papa John's Pizza, at 1204 Hempstead Tpke. on Dec. 10.

When the delivery man arrived at a Washington Street address in Hempstead, police said Pannell took the pizza from him without paying.

On Dec. 13, Pannell again ordered a pizza from the Papa John's store to the same address and tried to take the pizza after throwing bleach at the delivery man. The delivery man, who was not injured, left without giving up the pizza, police said.

When Pannell called for another pizza Sunday night, a pizzeria worker recognized the cellphone number, and First Precinct officers responded to the delivery address.

Pannell was arrested and is charged with one count of first-degree robbery and one count of third-degree robbery.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Hempstead.