A late-afternoon robbery on the 3900 block of Forbes Avenue in Oakland has Pitt police looking for a suspect after a man told a victim he had a gun and took necklaces from around the victim’s neck. Police say the victim was left shaken but unharmed, no weapon was actually seen, and no injuries were reported. The suspect was described as a heavy-set, older white man wearing a black jacket and a blue-and-white COVID mask.
What police say
Pitt police said they were alerted to the incident at 5:42 p.m. on Thursday and responded to the area, according to WPXI. The station reports that the victim gave that account to officers and that investigators are gathering information from the scene.
Forbes Avenue context
The stretch of Forbes in Oakland has seen similar street robberies and thefts over recent years, and campus police often issue crime alerts when incidents occur. Students told reporters they are sometimes surprised when robberies happen near central campus, according to coverage by WTAE.
How to report tips
Anyone with information is asked to call the University of Pittsburgh Police at 412-624-2121; that number and additional reporting options are listed on the university’s Public Safety site. University of Pittsburgh Public Safety also outlines resources such as the Rave Guardian app and blue-light phones. The robbery is logged under incident number #26-00944, per reporting by WPXI.
Pitt police say the investigation remains active and detectives are following up on leads. Community members and students are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity to campus police or 911.
