A man flashed a handgun, robbed a man outside Ross Park Mall and fled on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus Tuesday night, Ross police said in a criminal complaint.
Police located the bus and apprehended the suspect, Robert Charles Maurice Broadus, 18, of Pittsburgh Allentown’s neighborhood.
According to the criminal complaint, Ross police responded to the reported robbery on Ross Park Mall Drive around 8:45 p.m.
The victim told police he was standing at a bus stop at the mall when Broadus approached. Broadus asked if he could “hit his vape” and said he liked a rose-colored gold chain that the man was wearing around his neck, the complaint says.
Broadus asked the man, “What if I pulled out my gun and took your (stuff)?” according to the complaint. When the man did not respond, he told police Broadus then said, “Give me that chain or I’ll leave you right here” as he pulled up his sweatshirt exposing a black handgun tucked in the waistline, according to the complaint.
The man gave his chain to Broadus, who also took the man’s vape box, the complaint says. Broadus told the man to not call police before getting on a PRT bus and fleeing the scene.
PRT police found the bus on East Street in Pittsburgh. Ross officers arrived there and detained Broadus, who matched the description of the assailant at the bus stop. The alleged victim was taken there and also identified Broadus as the man who had robbed him, the complaint says.
A black handgun, a Ruger 9 mm, was found in Broadus’ waistband. It was loaded with 12 rounds, according to the complaint.
Police also found the chain, which was broken, and vape box on Broadus.
Ross police charged Broadus with felony counts of robbery and carrying a firearm without a license and misdemeanor counts of theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault.
Broadus was denied bail when he was arraigned Wednesday, Oct. 28 and sent to the Allegheny County Jail, according to court records. His preliminary hearing before District Judge Richard G. Opiela is scheduled for Nov. 4.