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Brazen street robberies have Pittsburgh on high alert

PITTSBURGH — Authorities have issued a warning to the community of Sheraden after several street robberies have been reported recently in the area.

According to police, at least four street robberies have been reported in the past few weeks.

The first incident occurred Aug. 18 in the 3200 block of Chartiers Avenue when a victim told authorities he was approached by two men that demanded money.

The victim told police he complied and handed over his wallet and cellphone. The actors then fled the scene and no weapon was ever seen.

One of the robbers was a black male with dark complexion, braids and wearing shorts, police said. The other was a black male, medium build, dark complexion and also wearing shorts.

The next robbery was reported in the 1100 block of Fairdale Street around 11:30 a.m. Friday. The victim told police he was approached by two men from behind who grabbed him.

The victim said one of the men went through his pockets and took his cellphone and money before fleeing.

The first actor was described as a 16- or 17-year-old black male, thin build, mustache and wearing black shirt and pants. The other was described as a 16- or 17-year-old black male also wearing black shirt and pants.

A short time later, just after 2 p.m., police were called to the 3100 block of Allendale Circle for a similar report.

The victim told responding officers he was grabbed from behind by two men who took his money and wallet before fleeing.

The robbers in this report were described as black men between the ages of 16 and 19. Both were thin, about 150 pounds and had dark complexion. One of them was wearing tan pants and a gray shirt.

The most recent report came Sunday around 2:30 a.m. when Mike Stains reported two men approached him from behind in the 1200 block of Fairdale Street and pointed a gun at his side.

“Pretty much when I turned, I felt (the gun) right about here,” Stains said.

Stains said the men made off with his wallet and a cellphone before fleeing.

“I kept my hands up and tried not to escalate the situation. They rifled through my pockets and took my phone and wallet and ran back up the street,” said Stains.

Both of the robbers were described as black men between the ages of 15 and 25 and standing about 6 feet tall. One of them had fair complexion and was wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans. The other had dark complexion and was wearing a burgundy hoodie and blue jeans.

Marla James told Channel 11 News she has all the security measures money can buy because she wants to protect herself.

“I have a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old. My granddaughter’s here and she’s just 1, so thank God for my little dog. When she hears anyone, she barks,” James said.

Anyone with information on any other the robberies is asked to contact police.

WPXI

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