Police: Man dressed as woman robs North Side business, pistol-whips employee

PITTSBURGH — Investigators said a man dressed as a woman robbed a North Side business Thursday morning and attacked a worker.

Police said the robber followed the female employee inside just as she was beginning her shift at the East Ohio Street Money Mart.

Pittsburgh police said the man was wearing a black shirt, tan pants, a scarf and a black wig and was carrying a Louis Vuitton bag.

Once inside, police said, the man beat the employee with a gun -- which fired one shot but did not hit the victim. Investigators said the man stole money and ran away, dropping the scarf he was wearing.

Police said a K-9 unit was brought in to search for the robber, but he was able to get away.

The worker was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

So far, no arrests have been made.

Authorities said the drug store next door to the Money Mart was robbed about two months ago.

Nadine McLee, who owns a clothing store on East Ohio Street, said she's been in the area for six years and never had any problems.

"There's a lot of changes that are being made here on East Ohio Street, but we have to be aware that these type of things happen. It's a little scary," McLee said. "We are always trying to watch out for one another on this street."

WPXI