MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A man accused of robbing an 86-year-old outside a Social Security office in November is now in custody after being linked to a second theft, police said.
“I think about it every day. I'll never forget Nov. 16 as long as I live,” said the 86-year-old robbery victim, who wished to remain anonymous.
The victim got into his car across the street from the Social Security office in McKeesport, where the armed robber was hiding in the backseat with a gun, police said.
The victim said he was ready to drive away when he felt the barrel of a gun press into the back of his head.
“I was stupid. I should've locked my car,” he said.
The man thought quickly and negotiated with the gunman.
“I had $150 in my pocket. I gave him five $20 bills, and I told him, ‘I have to go to the doctor's. I will need $50,’” he said.
The gunman took the money and ran away in an alley.
Authorities identified that gunman Thursday as Carroll Yancey.
Police said Yancey was arrested this week after he allegedly stole a woman’s wallet from a car outside a Family Dollar in McKeesport last month. The woman called police this week after seeing him walking across a bridge.
According to the criminal complaint, Yancey admitted to using the woman’s credit card at the Walmart in North Versailles to buy a 55-inch TV and two cellphones before tossing the card in the trash.
Yancey told officers that he had a drug problem and needed money, the complaint stated.
Detectives then showed Yancey surveillance pictures from just before the November robbery happened, and he told them he was the person in the picture, but he denied robbing the elderly man.
Channel 11 News learned that the only charge Yancey has faced before was for bad checks in West Mifflin last year.