PITTSBURGH,None — Pittsburgh police have charged three suspects in what they believe was a drug-related robbery in the city's North Side during which a police officer was struck by a car while responding.
Police said the suspects exchanged fire with police outside the Swap Meet on Brighton Road Wednesday morning, but no one was injured by the shooting.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper said about five or six suspects were involved and one hit the female officer with a van as she tried to arrest him near Pennsylvania Avenue. The officer, Colleen Bristow, apparently broke her elbow, Harper said. She was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in stable condition.
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The suspects were identified as Kevin "K" Allison, of Hazelwood, Aaron Farrow, of South Oakland, and Rayshaun "Rizzo" Jones, of the North Side.
Police said the incident started when the suspects were sitting in a vehicle together, smoking marijuana. Police said the group then decided to confront Eric Williams, who they called "The Weed Man," while he worked at the Swap Meet.
Authorities said Jones and Allison, along with Derick Holliday and Troy Hexstall, planned the robbery. But it was Jones who confronted Williams and ordered him onto the floor at gunpoint, police said.
The other suspects told police Jones was upset about being "beat" by the "weed man," meaning he paid for an amount of marijuana he didn't get, police said.
Police said Allison was observed running out of the business with several cartons of cigarettes. He was arrested several blocks away.
Detectives said they found Jones in a nearby Dumpster. They said he refused to show his hands, so detectives had to enter the Dumpster, handcuff him and take him into custody.
Allison and Jones are each charged with one count burglary and one count criminal conspiracy.
Farrow said he was told at the hospital that a police officer was injured during the incident, police said. They said he told them he didn't know he injured an officer and didn't intend to.
Farrow is charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, among other charges.
Police said they charged Williams after finding drugs inside the Swap Meet building during their investigation.
Target 11's Rick Earle has discovered that the Swap Meet store has been the scene of a violent crime in the past.
Earle obtained police paperwork that reported a violent robbery at the store on April 16 and another robbery attempt in the fall 2009.
According to the paperwork, three suspects entered the Swap Meet with handguns, masks and camouflage clothes. Police said the men demanded $600 and ran away in a red car.
Earle spoke to the owners of Allegheny Refrigeration, which is located across the street from the Swap Meet. The owners said they are "tired" of the store and the violence that it brings to the neighborhood.
Channel 11 has also learned that the district attorney is investigating the operation of the Swap Meet.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala released this statement, saying "In light of what happened yesterday, our office is looking at whether the operation at that location is creating a public nuisance and if so, what steps would need to be taken to eliminate that nuisance and any threats to public safety. It has been communicated to us that there may be legitimate business taking place at that location and that is something we will have to sort through."
Previous Stories: September 16, 2010: Police ID 3 North Side Shootout Suspects
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