Cops: Man Left 5 Kids Home Alone To Go Rob Convenience Store
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Police say a Pittsburgh man left his five kids home alone in squalid conditions while he robbed a convenience store.
Police say 36-year-old Anthony Heard robbed the CoGo's early Tuesday, then returned to buy something wearing the same hat and shoes while officers were interviewing the victimized clerk.
Police say they arrested Heard after the clerk recognized his clothing, and Heard protested that he couldn't go to jail because his wife had been arrested the day before and his kids were home alone.
Officers went to a home in the 2400-block of Glenarm Avenue, a few blocks away. They found 5 children under the age of 12 sleeping on mattresses and a couch in the living room.
There were open pill bottles and open cans of beer scattered throughout. A butcher knife was found within reach of the kids. Spoiled food, soiled clothes and garbage were scattered everywhere, along with rat traps and rodent droppings.
Police found the dark sweatshirt, pants and glasses, but no gun.
During questioning, Heard told police he needed money to bail his wife out of jail. The man at the ATM was Heard's neighbor, who loaned him $50. He never denied robbing the CoGo's for more cash.
The clerk told police he recognized Heard's voice, as he and his wife shop at the store 4 or 5 times a day.
Heard is charged with six crimes, including 5 counts of endangering the welfare of children, robbery, possession of a weapon by a felon and criminal conspiracy.
The children are staying with the suspect's sister.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
