Woman arrested following string of robberies says she used fake gun

PITTSBURGH — A woman has been arrested in connection with a string of robberies in the Pittsburgh area.

Police said Melissa Santoro, 28, admitted to committing the robberies along Banksville Road.

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Santoro was caught on surveillance video pulling what appeared to be a gun out of a purse during an attempted robbery at Jet's Pizza in Dormont. She was later seen on surveillance video at a Sunoco gas station, where she got away with cash from a register.

Doug Zalla, the owner of Jet's Pizza, was relieved to learn that an arrest had been made.

"I was relieved for our employee standpoint. I know they've been a little more tense than normal, as you might expect," Zalla said.

According to court documents, an employee at a Sunoco on Cochran Road recognized Santoro when she stopped in to buy cigarettes. Police were notified, and they arrested her at her home.

Police said Santoro first said she did not commit the crimes, but admitted to them after a lie detector test.

In addition to the attempted robbery at the pizza shop and the Sunoco robbery, Santoro admitted to a second Sunoco robbery and one at a Rite Aid.

Santoro also told police that the gun she used was fake and that she was in need of money to help her mother and to buy dog food and kitty litter. In all, she got away with just under $300.

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