Police investigating New Kensington armed robberies

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Police in New Kensington are investigating two armed robberies over the weekend that may be related.

Authorities said the first robbery was reported Friday night at the Fox’s Pizza at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street.

An employee told Channel 11's Joe Holden that an armed man came into the store around 10 p.m. and demanded money from the register.

According to Detective Sgt. Dino DiGiacobbe, the suspect put the money in a plastic bag and fled the scene on foot.

The cashier, Brandi, told Holden she chased the man long enough to witness him get into a black sedan.

Another witness told police the suspect got into the passenger side of a black, four-door vehicle with tinted windows before it took off, DiGiacobbe said.

The robber was described as white, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 150 pounds.

Investigators said he was wearing a dark-colored hoodie, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. A white bandana covered everything on his face except his “blue eyes and sandy-colored eyebrows,” a witness told police.

No one was injured in the robbery, and the man never drew the gun from his waistband. No driver description was available.

New Kensington police also responded to a similar armed robbery Sunday night at the nearby Valero Gas Station at the intersection of Seventh Street and Constitution Boulevard.

DiGiacobbe said a man matching the Fox's Pizza robber's description entered the gas station about 10 p.m. and told the cashier, “This is a robbery, I want all your money.”

The man never showed a weapon, DiGiacobbe said, but kept his right hand in the pocket of his hoodie to give the impression of having a gun.

While the attendant began stuffing the plastic bag with money, the suspect told him to “hurry up” or he'd “kill him,” DiGiacobbe said.

The robber reportedly fled toward the Parnassus neighborhood on Constitution Boulevard, where he was picked up by a black Ford Escort with tinted windows. The car was last seen heading down Constitution Boulevard.

The gas station attendant told police the robber wore a bright blue bandana that partially covered his face. He reported the man's eye color as “green or hazel.”

“The description on the eyes don't match up, but we believe they're the same person,” DiGiacobbe said. “We are exploring every possible lead, however.”

DiGiacobbe said New Kensington police have recovered forensic evidence from each location. He would not elaborate.

Police are reviewing surveillance photos from the businesses and surrounding areas.

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

WPXI