Morning Roundup: Teens arrested following assault, robbery in East Liberty

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 10:

Teens arrested following assault, robbery in East Liberty

Pittsburgh police have arrested an 18-year-old man and four juveniles in a robbery and assault Sunday afternoon at a gas station in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood.

Police said the clerk at the Sunoco station in the 500 block of North Highland Avenue was injured in the ribs when the teens threw food items and a two-liter bottle of soda at him.

The clerk was able to identify the suspects, police said. Investigators also were able to retrieve images of the robbery that the clerk recorded on his phone and that one of the suspects unsuccessfully attempted to delete, according to a criminal complaint.

Police said the group stole about $270 worth of items, including vape pens.

The clerk told police he recognized the teens as being involved in a previous theft at the store and locked the door when they approached, but they gained entry when they pulled on the door and broke the lock, according to the complaint.

The teens fled the store but were apprehended shortly thereafter by police.

The adult arrested in the robbery is Patrice Howze, 18, of North Braddock. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and was awaiting arraignment on charges of robbery, simple assault, conspiracy and criminal mischief.

Man thrown from vehicle in Pittsburgh crash

A 19-year-old man was critically injured Saturday night in a vehicle crash in Pittsburgh’s Windgap neighborhood, city police said.

The man was thrown from the vehicle when it struck a pole in the 3800 block of Windgap Avenue, according to police. He was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery, officials said.

The police department’s Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the wreck.