Man arrested after string of armed robberies at The Waterfront
HOMESTEAD, Pa. (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh man is facing charges, including robbery and terroristic threats, after a string of armed robberies in Homestead, authorities said.
After a search, Allegheny County police said Pittsburgh officers arrested 25-year-old Michael Lipovsik III on Tuesday in connection with several robberies at businesses on Waterfront Drive.
According to investigators, Lipovsik walked into the Mattress Firm store and asked some questions about getting a mattress before pulling out a gun, demanding cash and the clerk's car keys before threatening to kill him.
Police said his plans would be foiled after the clerk told the 25-year-old that he picked the wrong place because the store is a cashless establishment and if Lipovsik took his car it would be tracked by GPS. Frustrated, Lipovsik walked out.
According to investigators, Lipovsik didn't go very far for his next alleged target. He went next door to Scrubs & Beyond, police said.
He allegedly pointed a gun at the clerk and another employee, demanding money and their car keys. After both employees told him they weren't going to give him their keys, Lipovsik demanded the victims call him an Uber so he could escape.
They told him they weren't calling anyone but the police. Lipovsik allegedly took some cash from the business then ran to some nearby apartments and allegedly tried to rob a woman, but she screamed and ran to her apartment.