Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Sept. 4:
Man threatens woman with knife in Bethel Park parking lot
Bethel Park police said they arrested a knife-wielding man Thursday morning, accusing him of climbing into a woman’s parked car and making demands before she escaped in a Walmart parking lot.
After the woman exited the vehicle, officials said, she called for help.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. in the lot along Library Road.
Police said officers responded within minutes and established a perimeter to keep the suspect within the area. They apprehended a suspect after talking with the victim and multiple witnesses.
The suspect is expected to face multiple criminal charges, police said.
“The Bethel Park Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to remain aware of their surroundings while out in public,” officials said in a social media post. “It can be easy to become complacent or distracted, particularly while sitting in a vehicle or using a cellphone. We also encourage everyone to secure their vehicle whenever they leave it unattended or sit inside while parked.”
Police arrest man accused of raping woman in Pittsburgh hotel
Pittsburgh police on Thursday arrested a man accused of raping a woman in an Oakland hotel.
Detectives were investigating a rape that occurred Wednesday inside a hotel on Lytton Avenue. Officials said the suspect knew the victim and fled after the assault.
Pittsburgh police — with help from the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force — arrested Martell Martin, 33, of McKeesport, in connection with the incident Thursday.
He is charged with rape, strangulation, sexual assault, terroristic threats, indecent assault, false imprisonment and driving while operating privilege is suspended. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.