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Suspects accused in several armed robberies in Oakland arrested

OAKLAND, Pa. — Police arrested two men accused of robbing several people, including college students, in Oakland Sunday night.

Investigators said the string of robberies began just after 9 p.m. when a woman was robbed in front of her Bayard Street apartment.

According to the criminal complaint, the suspects had what looked like a black handgun and demanded cash. The victim gave the two suspects about $100 in cash.

The victim told police the suspect told her, “Calm down, I’m not going to shoot you.”

Police said the suspects, later identified as Derrick Bragg and Keith Williams, then robbed two people of cash minutes later at the intersection of Craig and Bayard streets.

Authorities said four men told police they were robbed at gunpoint after taking money out of an ATM at Centre and Melwood avenues just before 9:30 p.m.

One of the victims, who told police Bragg and Williams started a conversation about a band before robbing them, identified Bragg as the robber who pointed a gun at them, officials said.

According to the criminal complaint, a man told police he was walking on North Craig Street near Bayard Street about 10:15 p.m. when Bragg threatened him with a black pistol and demanded cash. The victim said he gave Bragg $20 and walked away.

About five minutes later, police said Bragg drew a gun from his pants and pointed it at another man on North Craig Street. That man told police he turned and ran from the area without giving Bragg anything.

An officer saw Bragg walking just before 10:30 p.m. and called for him to stop, the complaint said. Bragg ran and dropped what looked like a black pistol before a K-9 officer caught him on Truro Place, the complaint said.

Police also arrested Williams at a nearby apartment, and brought the victims to identify Williams and Bragg as the robbers. Police found a BB gun, which had a "remarkable similarity to an actual firearm," the complaint said.

Bragg was taken to UPMC Presbyterian for treatment of dog bites and police took Williams to the Allegheny County Jail.

“I think it’s incredibly scary. I’m a freshman here and it definitely doesn’t make me feel safe,” Pitt freshman Nathaniel Nulph said Monday after learning about the robberies.

Police charged Bragg, 42, with nine counts of robbery, conspiracy and possessing an instrument of crime. Officers also charged Williams, 24, with four counts of robbery and conspiracy.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.