Topline: Police say the suspect claimed federal authority, pulled a pocketknife and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the juvenile he allegedly tried to rob.
Published: January 20, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Stock photo via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Flickr)
PITTSBURGH, PA —Police say a burglary suspect in Pittsburgh claimed to be a federal immigration agent, threatened a juvenile with a knife, and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the child he was allegedly trying to rob.
According to Pittsburgh police and a criminal complaint cited by TribLive, officers were dispatched shortly after 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a burglary in progress at a home in the 500 block of Climax Street. Authorities said a landlord had called 911 after learning a man smashed a window and forced his way into the residence.
When officers arrived, police said they found the suspect, later identified as William Arthur Gregory, 35, of Pittsburgh, lying unconscious on the floor of the home. A juvenile victim was nearby, standing in a doorway with minor injuries to his right ankle and hand, according to police. The boy’s age was not disclosed.
According to the criminal complaint and police accounts reported by KDKA and WTAE, the juvenile told officers that Gregory entered through a kitchen window and went upstairs shouting that he was a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who needed to see paperwork. Police said Gregory then pulled out a pocketknife, threatened to stab the boy and began stealing a PlayStation console and controllers.
Police said the situation escalated when Gregory forcibly took the juvenile’s cellphone, leading to a physical struggle. During the altercation, the boy struck Gregory in the face, knocking him unconscious before officers arrived, according to the complaint.
As officers attempted to handcuff Gregory, police said he regained consciousness and began resisting arrest. Multiple officers were needed to subdue him, and he was eventually tased, according to police and court documents.
Medics were called to the scene and sedated Gregory before transporting him to UPMC Mercy for treatment. Police said Gregory appeared heavily intoxicated and under the influence of drugs and began foaming at the mouth as he was escorted to an ambulance, according to TribLive.
Officers later determined that Gregory had multiple outstanding warrants, including for burglary and possession of a firearm, police said.
Court records show Gregory is charged with felony counts of burglary, robbery and ethnic intimidation, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and impersonating a public servant. He also faces a summary charge of criminal mischief.
Gregory was arraigned Sunday morning and denied bail after a judge determined he posed a threat to the community, according to court records. He remains held in the Allegheny County Jail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police: Man Posed as ICE Agent While Threatening Juvenile With Knife During Burglary
Police say the suspect claimed federal authority, pulled a pocketknife and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the juvenile he allegedly tried to rob.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 20, 2026 8:00 am ET
Stock photo via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Flickr)
PITTSBURGH, PA —Police say a burglary suspect in Pittsburgh claimed to be a federal immigration agent, threatened a juvenile with a knife, and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the child he was allegedly trying to rob.
According to Pittsburgh police and a criminal complaint cited by TribLive, officers were dispatched shortly after 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a burglary in progress at a home in the 500 block of Climax Street. Authorities said a landlord had called 911 after learning a man smashed a window and forced his way into the residence.
When officers arrived, police said they found the suspect, later identified as William Arthur Gregory, 35, of Pittsburgh, lying unconscious on the floor of the home. A juvenile victim was nearby, standing in a doorway with minor injuries to his right ankle and hand, according to police. The boy’s age was not disclosed.
According to the criminal complaint and police accounts reported by KDKA and WTAE, the juvenile told officers that Gregory entered through a kitchen window and went upstairs shouting that he was a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who needed to see paperwork. Police said Gregory then pulled out a pocketknife, threatened to stab the boy and began stealing a PlayStation console and controllers.
Police said the situation escalated when Gregory forcibly took the juvenile’s cellphone, leading to a physical struggle. During the altercation, the boy struck Gregory in the face, knocking him unconscious before officers arrived, according to the complaint.
As officers attempted to handcuff Gregory, police said he regained consciousness and began resisting arrest. Multiple officers were needed to subdue him, and he was eventually tased, according to police and court documents.
Medics were called to the scene and sedated Gregory before transporting him to UPMC Mercy for treatment. Police said Gregory appeared heavily intoxicated and under the influence of drugs and began foaming at the mouth as he was escorted to an ambulance, according to TribLive.
Officers later determined that Gregory had multiple outstanding warrants, including for burglary and possession of a firearm, police said.
Court records show Gregory is charged with felony counts of burglary, robbery and ethnic intimidation, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and impersonating a public servant. He also faces a summary charge of criminal mischief.
Gregory was arraigned Sunday morning and denied bail after a judge determined he posed a threat to the community, according to court records. He remains held in the Allegheny County Jail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Man Posed as ICE Agent While Threatening Juvenile With Knife During Burglary
Police say the suspect claimed federal authority, pulled a pocketknife and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the juvenile he allegedly tried to rob.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 20, 2026 8:00 am ET
Stock photo via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Flickr)
PITTSBURGH, PA —Police say a burglary suspect in Pittsburgh claimed to be a federal immigration agent, threatened a juvenile with a knife, and was ultimately knocked unconscious by the child he was allegedly trying to rob.
According to Pittsburgh police and a criminal complaint cited by TribLive, officers were dispatched shortly after 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a burglary in progress at a home in the 500 block of Climax Street. Authorities said a landlord had called 911 after learning a man smashed a window and forced his way into the residence.
When officers arrived, police said they found the suspect, later identified as William Arthur Gregory, 35, of Pittsburgh, lying unconscious on the floor of the home. A juvenile victim was nearby, standing in a doorway with minor injuries to his right ankle and hand, according to police. The boy’s age was not disclosed.
According to the criminal complaint and police accounts reported by KDKA and WTAE, the juvenile told officers that Gregory entered through a kitchen window and went upstairs shouting that he was a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who needed to see paperwork. Police said Gregory then pulled out a pocketknife, threatened to stab the boy and began stealing a PlayStation console and controllers.
Police said the situation escalated when Gregory forcibly took the juvenile’s cellphone, leading to a physical struggle. During the altercation, the boy struck Gregory in the face, knocking him unconscious before officers arrived, according to the complaint.
As officers attempted to handcuff Gregory, police said he regained consciousness and began resisting arrest. Multiple officers were needed to subdue him, and he was eventually tased, according to police and court documents.
Medics were called to the scene and sedated Gregory before transporting him to UPMC Mercy for treatment. Police said Gregory appeared heavily intoxicated and under the influence of drugs and began foaming at the mouth as he was escorted to an ambulance, according to TribLive.
Officers later determined that Gregory had multiple outstanding warrants, including for burglary and possession of a firearm, police said.
Court records show Gregory is charged with felony counts of burglary, robbery and ethnic intimidation, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and impersonating a public servant. He also faces a summary charge of criminal mischief.
Gregory was arraigned Sunday morning and denied bail after a judge determined he posed a threat to the community, according to court records. He remains held in the Allegheny County Jail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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