PITTSBURGH \u2014 There are new developments in a story Channel 11 has been following for eight months. <\/p>\n
You might remember the dramatic rooftop standoff on Alice Street back in September. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Serial burglary suspect arrested after hours-long standoff with police on roof<\/a><\/p>\n It started when the Allegheny County Sheriff\u2019s Office attempted to serve a warrant on a serial burglary suspect. <\/p>\n After thirteen hours, he was captured, but damage was done to one of the homes in the process of getting him down. <\/p>\n Channel 11 was the only station there when it happened.<\/p>\n The homeowner, who had been renting out the space, tells us the house suffered close to $20,000 in damages. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Owner calls for answers while making repairs to house damaged during hours-long standoff<\/a><\/p>\n Since September, the question has been this: Who is responsible for paying for it?<\/p>\n Back in March, homeowner Rustam \u201cRuss\u201d Vasilev told Channel 11 he\u2019d received a letter from the City of Pittsburgh Law Department denying his claim. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> City officials deny claim to help man pay for repairs after suspect was arrested on his roof<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOur investigation has determined that the Allegheny County Sheriffs were in control of the incident,\u201d the letter said. <\/p>\n Last week, Russ received a letter from the Sheriff\u2019s Office also denying Russ\u2019s claim. <\/p>\n \u201cPlease be advised that the Allegheny County Sheriff\u2019s Office has no authority over the<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Fire Department or the City agencies. They are separate entities. Again, it is the Pittsburgh Fire Department that performed the destruction, not the Allegheny County Sheriff\u2019s Office.”<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re pointing at the city, basically,\u201d Russ told Channel 11. \u201cThey are pointing at each other. It\u2019s total nonsense. An absolute circus.\u201d <\/p>\n The letter also twice referenced that Russ does not have insurance on the home. <\/p>\n We spoke to our legal analyst Phil DiLucente to see if that would prevent Russ from seeking damages. <\/p>\n \u201cEven if a person doesn\u2019t have homeowner\u2019s insurance and law enforcement, for some reason, goes in and destroys it, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they might not have a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule,\u201d DiLucente said. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very fact-sensitive, but based upon those circumstances, it may have been reasonably necessary,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n In the meantime, Russ says he\u2019s planning to file another claim with the city while he searches for legal help.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope for compensation. If they\u2019ve got no cash for me, they could replace the roof,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter the police raids, you\u2019re left with a destroyed house and nobody cares about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n