PITTSBURGH — A man is in custody after an armed robbery at a business in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood on Thursday night.
Officers were called to Go Go’s Market in the 5000 block of Second Avenue around 8:15 p.m.
When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as 36-year-old James Tinsley, walking less than one mile away from the business in the 300 block of Renova Street. Police said he then ran before being tased and taken into custody.
Police said they recovered a gun and around $200. According to a criminal complaint, Tinsley also threw another gun during the foot pursuit.
Officers then brought the store clerk, who was robbed, to identify Tinsley, according to police. He told officers it was him and that he “recognized the shoes.”
According to the criminal complaint, police were already in the area at the time the armed robbery happened and were in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant for Tinsley related to a string of robberies.
Tinsley was transported to a hospital to be checked out before being taken in for questioning at Pittsburgh Police Headquarters.
The store’s manager told Channel 11 that Tinsley is a frequent shopper.
“You see the shoes and the eyes – you know him,” said Mohammad Al Jawdbaei. “He is a customer.”
The manager showed Channel 11 the surveillance video and said this is the first time his store has ever been robbed.
But this isn’t the only robbery reported on Second Street recently. Employees at the nearby Hazelwood Market said they, too, were robbed a few weeks ago.
Al Jawdbaei told Channel 11 he’s glad Tinsley is behind bars and doesn’t want his customers to feel scared.
“This is my neighborhood, these are my people. I live here with the people – more my family, you know?” Al Jawdbaei said.
He’s facing several charges, including robbery, possessing instruments of crime, carrying a firearm without a license and theft by unlawful taking.
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