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Pittsburgh police say serial robber admitted to robbing at least 12 businesses

PITTSBURGH — A man who police have dubbed a serial robber admitted to robbing at least 12 businesses after his arrest last Thursday, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News Wednesday.

Frederick Pryor, 30, is facing more than 30 criminal charges in connection with the robberies. Police said Pryor told them he committed the crimes because he "suffers from depression and let his pride get in the way, and he didn't want to go on public assistance."

The criminal complaint stated that he said the anxiety of not having money forced him to rob.

He allegedly targeted Princess Beauty and Fashion Store on Penn Avenue and fled with $400 and some cigarettes.

Pryor told police he borrowed his girlfriend's car to use as a getaway vehicle but never informed her it was to commit crimes.

Satya Sah, who owns the Hospital Corner Minimart on Penn Avenue, said he's all too familiar with Pryor.

"He directly came inside the counter, and he told everybody, 'You have to put your hands up,'” he said.

Sah told Channel 11 News that Pryor and another man held up store on Sept. 9 and threatened to shoot him and his customers.

He said he's thrilled Pryor is now off the streets, but added he won't feel safe until his accomplice is arrested, too.

“I lock the door, and I watch all the (store’s surveillance) cameras all the time,” Sah said.

Pryor told police he won't reveal who allegedly helped him commit the robberies.

Anyone who may know something about the list of robberies listed below is asked to contact Pittsburgh police.

  • Aug. 31 at 1:22 p.m., Princess Beauty and Fashion, 5152 Penn Ave.
  • Sept. 8 at 5:33 p.m., Wine and Spirits, 826 Hazelwood Ave.
  • Sept. 9 at 12:26 p.m., Hospital Corner Minimart, 4201 Penn Ave.
  • Sept. 13 at 12:21 p.m., Radio Shack/Spring, 2060 Warton St.
  • Sept. 13 at 1:27 p.m., Uni-Mart, 1601 Lowrie St.
  • Sept. 20 at 3:00 p.m., Family Dollar, 2020 Spring Garden Ave.
  • Sept. 23 at 2:00 p.m., Choung's Market, 2208 Arlington Ave.
  • Sept. 24 at 7:20 a.m., Seven Eleven, 601 Penn Ave.
  • Oct. 7 at 1:50 a.m., Uni-Mart, 1921 Brownsville Rd.
  • Oct. 13 at 11:09 a.m., Be Nice African Braiding, 639 Hillsboro St.
  • Oct. 13 at 12:06 p.m., Ann's Market, 2316 Webster Ave.
  • Oct. 13 at 2:01 p.m., Choung's Market, 2208 Arlington Ave.