A group of men allegedly robbed a pizza delivery person on July 25.

According to Iowa City police, officers responded to a report of a robbery in the 10 block of Regal Lane.

The delivery person reportedly told authorities a group of 10 to 15 males from 10 to 25 years old approached him from behind as he was bringing a pizza to an address on Regal Lane. He said one of the men punched him in the neck, then the group grabbed his order and fled.

During the investigation, police determined the order did not come from the residence the delivery person was approaching, authorities said.

The delivery person was not injured and declined medical treatment, police reports show.

The incident remains under investigation.

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.5 million local messengers and local delivery people suffered from more than 24,000 non-fatal assaults in 2007. Transportation accidents account for more than 50,000 non-fatal injuries.

But local pizza-delivery employees said they don’t necessarily feel threatened on the job.

Molly Enochson, 19, who delivers pizza for Papa John’s in Coralville, said she is advised to call the police and return to the store if a dangerous situation arises.

She said she has never felt threatened but sometimes feels uncomfortable — especially when she has to deliver to half-dressed customers.

But there is often a light side to the business, Enochson said, especially during the football season, when often intoxicated customers become generous.

“You can walk away from delivery with a $15 tip from a person who doesn’t know how to do math in his head,” she said.