PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police are actively working to figure out if the man responsible for stealing a car last Friday from 1100 Liberty Ave. near the Amtrak lot is also the same man who was arrested Tuesday night in Philadelphia following a road rage incident and police chase.
A man is in custody and facing multiple felony charges after a stolen car connected to an incident in Pittsburgh was involved in a police pursuit and collision in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
According to Pittsburgh Zone 2 police officers, a woman told officers she was waiting in her vehicle for her boyfriend just before 8:30 p.m. when a man she didn’t know jumped into the passenger side of her car and demanded money. The victim allegedly told the suspect she did not have any cash and offered to pay him by Venmo. The suspect shared his account information but when the Venmo transfer failed, he then demanded that the victim take him to an ATM. Following a tussle, the victim jumped out of the vehicle.
Nearby residents we spoke with who park in the lot often are stunned by the strange turn of events.
Frank Krastman has lived in a nearby downtown building for nearly eight years, and said in his entire time living and parking in the lot where the alleged carjacking happened, he never experienced anything like it.
“That’s crazy to have that happen,” said Krastman. He added, “I never see anybody suspicious in the parking lot. It’s usually just people who live in the building.”
Nearby resident Nicole Pipik explained that from time to time, the lot gets packed with people waiting for loved ones to get off their train, but she said she still always felt somewhat safe.
“I’m very shocked to hear it actually at 8:00, that something like that would happen here,” said Pipik.
While residents said the whole event is scary, they both agreed the ordeal is eye-opening.
Krastman explained he may just opt to park inside his building’s garage instead of using the uncovered lot he pays for. Pipik said that she may go to management to notify them of what took place, “I might mention to management if they don’t know about this already, so that would be a good, maybe, extra security or something.”
Pittsburgh police said they are still working to verify whether the driver is the same individual responsible for the carjacking, attempted kidnapping and attempted robbery on March 25.
There is no word yet on the man’s identity, and the incidents are still under investigation.
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