MOUNT VERNON - A Mount Vernon police officer was hospitalized after his cruiser crashed as he responded to a pizzeria robbery, police said yesterday.

Police Officer Paul Cavallo was listed in stable condition at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, police Commissioner David Chong said.

Chong said a man walked into Anthony's Pizza, 218 Gramatan Ave., at 10:30 p.m. Monday, brandished a small, black semi-automatic handgun and was given $180 by a 24-year-old employee. The gunman swiped the employee's cell phone from the counter as he left.

Cavallo raced to the pizzeria from Sycamore Avenue and East Lincoln Avenue. He swerved to avoid a car that turned left in front of him, and he crashed into a wall at 112 Sycamore Ave., Chong said.

"The officer lost consciousness," Chong said. Cavallo was admitted to the hospital and held for observation. The police cruiser's air bags did deploy.

The robber escaped. Police described him as black, 5-foot-5, wearing black pants, a red sweater and black hat.

Reach Will David at 914-696-8274 or wdavid@lohud.com.