We now know the arrest of a woman that sparked a large police presence in Downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday is connected to serious allegations of robbery, carjacking and more. Ausaun Porter, 22, was arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. She is one of three people listed in release by from United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.Porter, Armoni Burton of Greensburg, and Lawrence Strothers Jr. have been indicted charges of federal robbery, carjacking, robbery and violations of firearms, postal and other laws. All three are accused of committing a series of crimes between late December 2025 and January 26.Burton and Porter allegedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint, kidnapped the driver and struck the man several times. Officials say the pair then stole marijuana from the victim and called a man to demand money for a ransom. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Marcie Cipriani spoke with that man back in January.The man said he was contacted by the kidnappers through FaceTime and gathered $25,000 after reaching out to involve police. He planned to meet those kidnappers in Hazelwood, but the victim managed to escape. The victim grabbed a bag belonging to the kidnappers, which the man told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 contained drugs and other evidence, before being shot in the chest as the kidnappers fled.The federal indictment charges Burton and Porter with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drugtrafficking crime for the above incident. Burton is also accused of robbing a postal delivery person on New Year’s Eve.The accusations against Strothers were not given, however he is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is working to learn more information on these indictments and will bring you the latest information as it is released.
PITTSBURGH —
We now know the arrest of a woman that sparked a large police presence in Downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday is connected to serious allegations of robbery, carjacking and more.
Ausaun Porter, 22, was arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. She is one of three people listed in release by from United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Porter, Armoni Burton of Greensburg, and Lawrence Strothers Jr. have been indicted charges of federal robbery, carjacking, robbery and violations of firearms, postal and other laws.
All three are accused of committing a series of crimes between late December 2025 and January 26.
Burton and Porter allegedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint, kidnapped the driver and struck the man several times.
Officials say the pair then stole marijuana from the victim and called a man to demand money for a ransom.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Marcie Cipriani spoke with that man back in January.
The man said he was contacted by the kidnappers through FaceTime and gathered $25,000 after reaching out to involve police. He planned to meet those kidnappers in Hazelwood, but the victim managed to escape.
The victim grabbed a bag belonging to the kidnappers, which the man told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 contained drugs and other evidence, before being shot in the chest as the kidnappers fled.
The federal indictment charges Burton and Porter with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug
trafficking crime for the above incident.
Burton is also accused of robbing a postal delivery person on New Year’s Eve.
The accusations against Strothers were not given, however he is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is working to learn more information on these indictments and will bring you the latest information as it is released.