Police: Knife-Wielding, Masked Man Wanted After Banging On Door, Claiming To Be Police Officer
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The search continues Thursday for a masked suspect who police say banged on a door with a knife in Scott Township, allegedly pretending to be a police officer.
Detectives tell KDKA that a woman called 911 last week and said a man was banging on her door and identified himself a police officer. She said he was wearing a mask and holding a foot-long knife.
Police said they're concerned that the suspect allegedly identified himself as a police officer, but are even more alarmed by the alleged weapon.
"The bigger issue is a person carrying a foot-long knife and having a mask on their face," said Sgt. Jeff Skees, Scott Township Police Department. "That's either an intention to burglarize them through a home invasion or assault someone."
A detective happened to be in the area of Carothers Avenue when the victim placed the 911 call.
"The actor then fled the area and our detective happened to be in the area when the call came in, [and he] actually saw the actor running, and by the time he was able to get position and get his car parked, the actor had jumped into the passenger side of a vehicle, the car took off and fled towards Carnegie," said Sgt. Skees.
Police obtained photos of the white Chevy Cruze from nearby surveillance cameras. The vehicle is believed to have tinted windows, a missing rear driver's side hubcap and possible damage to the front bumper on the driver's side, near the wheel well.
The camera also obtained a blurry photo of the suspect, but police said the detective did see him in person from a distance.
"Our detective confirmed that the individual was carrying a very large knife with a blade longer than a foot long," said Sgt. Skees.
Police said they're working to find out if the suspect banged on any other doors. They're following up on a lead that the suspect also targeted another person in the same area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Scott Township Police's Department of Investigations at 412-276-7725 x242 or just dial 911. They say callers can remain anonymous.
