News

Lawrenceville Family Dollar site of second armed robbery in 2 weeks

PITTSBURGH — An employee at a Family Dollar in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood had a gun pointed at him late Wednesday night after closing, then was forced to allow two men into the store, police said.

The employee was leaving for the night when the men jumped out of bushes next to his car in the parking lot, police said. The gun was pointed at the employee, who was then forced to open the store, where the men went to a safe.

As the employee was trying to open the safe, the men ripped it from the floor where it was bolted down, investigators said. They attempted to open the safe, as well as multiple cash registers, but failed.

Before fleeing the store, the men took the employee’s wallet and cellphone.

The men are believed to be between 18 and 25 years old. One was about 6 feet 2 inches tall and the other was about 5 feet 11 inches tall. Both were wearing all black with masks and gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

The store, located on 56th Street, was the site of another robbery on July 20. Authorities announced Thursday that the suspect in that and two other Family Dollar robberies in Pittsburgh was arrested Wednesday in Florida (CLICK HERE for details).

In regard to Wednesday’s robbery, Family Dollar released the following statement:

"Please know that the safety and security of our customers and associates is our first priority. Family Dollar has proudly operated stores in the Pittsburgh-area for many years. When violence in the communities and neighborhoods we serve occurs, it affects everyone - including our stores. Though we hope to never have to use them, we do have policies and rigorous trainings in place to best respond to store safety and security incidents."

"We strive to create a safe work and shopping environment by tailoring our store operations and security for each store. We are continually enhancing our on-premise security and surveillance systems, and our employee training, to reduce the incidence of robberies."