Topline: A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged as an adult on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including armed robbery, after allegedly robbing a couple at an ATM machine in downtown Pittsburgh.
Published: April 8, 2023 8:00 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Yashua Strong. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Ricky Esquivel / Pexels.
Pittsburgh, PA (PPP)— Pittsburgh police have arrested a 15-year-old male on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an armed robbery incident that took place on March 14th, 2023.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Strong approached a couple using an ATM machine in the First Nation Bank on 540 Penn Avenue, and while wielding a small silver pistol, demanded that they hand over their money. The victims managed to withdraw $60 before the suspect fled on foot.
After reviewing footage from the city’s cameras at Penn and 6th, authorities were able to identify Yashua Strong as the suspect in the incident.
The footage captured the suspect holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and pointing it at the victims, who backed away with their hands in the air. Strong is then seen completing his ATM transaction and leaving the area.
In addition to the two counts of armed robbery, Strong has been charged with multiple other offenses, including carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, and access device fraud.
He is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail on a $100,000 bail.
Name: Yashua Strong
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Agency: Pittsburgh Police Department
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-0-03
Docket Number: MJ-05003-CR-0001495-2023
Date Filed: March 17, 2023
Bail: $100,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail.
Criminal Charges
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Carrying a firearm without a license (Felony 3)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Access device fraud (Misdemeanor 1)
- Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms (Misdemeanor 1)
- Possession of firearm by minor (Misdemeanor 1)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Tuesday March 14th 2023 at approximately 2238 hours, Officer Christian Jonczak, was dispatched to the intersection of 6th Avenue and Penn Avenue to respond to an Armed Robbery. Dispatch provided Officers with a description, given by the victim over the phone, as a stocky built black male, wearing a black and white hoodie, and gray sweatpants.
Officer Jonczak spoke with the victims, ███████ and ███████, in front of ██ Penn Avenue. ███████ stated that while using the First Nation Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue, the male previously described, approached her and produced a small silver pistol and then stated “give me the money.” ███████ stated to the male that the money had not yet come out, and took a step away from the ATM. The male then waited for the money to come out, which was $60.00, before fleeing on foot down Penn Avenue toward 5th Avenue. Once at 5th Avenue, ███████ stated the male turned left on 5th Avenue towards Liberty Avenue.
███████ confirmed what ███████ had stated, and described the firearm as a “silver Derringer with two over-under barrels that were break action.” The break action description ███████ described with a hand motion.
On March 16, 2023, I Detective Colleen Jumba was able to view the footage from the city camera located at 6th Street and Penn Avenue. I observed a male, ███████ and female, ███████ go to the First National Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue at 2234 hours. At 2235 hours, a black male, wearing a dark hoodie with white lettering with a white “D” on the back and gray sweatpants, approaches them from behind, raises his left hand holding a firearm. ███████ and ███████ immediately retreat into the street on Penn Avenue. The male bends down and looks at the ATM for several seconds before fleeing towards 5th Avenue.
On March 17 2023, I received footage from the First National Bank ATM that captured the incident. ███████ and ███████ are seen accessing the ATM when a black male, later identified as Yashua Strong, a juvenile, appears in view behind them. Strong is wearing a dark blue or black zip up sweatshirt with white lettering and gray sweatpants. Strong is holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and points it at ███████ and ███████. ███████ and ███████ walk backwards towards Penn Avenue with their hands in the air. The male placed the gun into his left pocket and completes the ATM transaction before going out of camera view.
Detective Matt Tracey of the Computer Crimes Unit was also able to observe the footage from the city’s camera at Penn and 6th. Detective Tracey stated that the physical characteristics and gait of the male he observed resembled Yashua Strong. I viewed a media post from 1/23/23 which included pictures of Yashua Strong and was able to identify him as the male from ATM footage.
I also spoke to Officer Miller of the West Mifflin Police Department who was able to confirm the identity of Strong from the ATM photos.
I contacted Juvenile probation Officer Zack Mayr who informed me that Strong has a juvenile warrant for dating 3/13/23, the day before this incident, making him a fugitive.
I am respectfully requesting an warrant be issued for Yashua Strong. Attorney Megan Sasinoskt of the District Attorneys Office advised to file charges as Act 33.
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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Juvenile Arrested and Charged as Adult Following Armed Downtown Pittsburgh Robbery
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged as an adult on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including armed robbery, after allegedly robbing a couple at an ATM machine in downtown Pittsburgh.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 8, 2023 8:00 am ET
Yashua Strong. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Ricky Esquivel / Pexels.
Pittsburgh, PA (PPP)— Pittsburgh police have arrested a 15-year-old male on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an armed robbery incident that took place on March 14th, 2023.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Strong approached a couple using an ATM machine in the First Nation Bank on 540 Penn Avenue, and while wielding a small silver pistol, demanded that they hand over their money. The victims managed to withdraw $60 before the suspect fled on foot.
After reviewing footage from the city’s cameras at Penn and 6th, authorities were able to identify Yashua Strong as the suspect in the incident.
The footage captured the suspect holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and pointing it at the victims, who backed away with their hands in the air. Strong is then seen completing his ATM transaction and leaving the area.
In addition to the two counts of armed robbery, Strong has been charged with multiple other offenses, including carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, and access device fraud.
He is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail on a $100,000 bail.
Name: Yashua Strong
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Agency: Pittsburgh Police Department
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-0-03
Docket Number: MJ-05003-CR-0001495-2023
Date Filed: March 17, 2023
Bail: $100,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail.
Criminal Charges
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Carrying a firearm without a license (Felony 3)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Access device fraud (Misdemeanor 1)
- Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms (Misdemeanor 1)
- Possession of firearm by minor (Misdemeanor 1)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Tuesday March 14th 2023 at approximately 2238 hours, Officer Christian Jonczak, was dispatched to the intersection of 6th Avenue and Penn Avenue to respond to an Armed Robbery. Dispatch provided Officers with a description, given by the victim over the phone, as a stocky built black male, wearing a black and white hoodie, and gray sweatpants.
Officer Jonczak spoke with the victims, ███████ and ███████, in front of ██ Penn Avenue. ███████ stated that while using the First Nation Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue, the male previously described, approached her and produced a small silver pistol and then stated “give me the money.” ███████ stated to the male that the money had not yet come out, and took a step away from the ATM. The male then waited for the money to come out, which was $60.00, before fleeing on foot down Penn Avenue toward 5th Avenue. Once at 5th Avenue, ███████ stated the male turned left on 5th Avenue towards Liberty Avenue.
███████ confirmed what ███████ had stated, and described the firearm as a “silver Derringer with two over-under barrels that were break action.” The break action description ███████ described with a hand motion.
On March 16, 2023, I Detective Colleen Jumba was able to view the footage from the city camera located at 6th Street and Penn Avenue. I observed a male, ███████ and female, ███████ go to the First National Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue at 2234 hours. At 2235 hours, a black male, wearing a dark hoodie with white lettering with a white “D” on the back and gray sweatpants, approaches them from behind, raises his left hand holding a firearm. ███████ and ███████ immediately retreat into the street on Penn Avenue. The male bends down and looks at the ATM for several seconds before fleeing towards 5th Avenue.
On March 17 2023, I received footage from the First National Bank ATM that captured the incident. ███████ and ███████ are seen accessing the ATM when a black male, later identified as Yashua Strong, a juvenile, appears in view behind them. Strong is wearing a dark blue or black zip up sweatshirt with white lettering and gray sweatpants. Strong is holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and points it at ███████ and ███████. ███████ and ███████ walk backwards towards Penn Avenue with their hands in the air. The male placed the gun into his left pocket and completes the ATM transaction before going out of camera view.
Detective Matt Tracey of the Computer Crimes Unit was also able to observe the footage from the city’s camera at Penn and 6th. Detective Tracey stated that the physical characteristics and gait of the male he observed resembled Yashua Strong. I viewed a media post from 1/23/23 which included pictures of Yashua Strong and was able to identify him as the male from ATM footage.
I also spoke to Officer Miller of the West Mifflin Police Department who was able to confirm the identity of Strong from the ATM photos.
I contacted Juvenile probation Officer Zack Mayr who informed me that Strong has a juvenile warrant for dating 3/13/23, the day before this incident, making him a fugitive.
I am respectfully requesting an warrant be issued for Yashua Strong. Attorney Megan Sasinoskt of the District Attorneys Office advised to file charges as Act 33.
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
Juvenile Arrested and Charged as Adult Following Armed Downtown Pittsburgh Robbery
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged as an adult on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including armed robbery, after allegedly robbing a couple at an ATM machine in downtown Pittsburgh.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 8, 2023 8:00 am ET
Yashua Strong. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Ricky Esquivel / Pexels.
Pittsburgh, PA (PPP)— Pittsburgh police have arrested a 15-year-old male on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an armed robbery incident that took place on March 14th, 2023.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Strong approached a couple using an ATM machine in the First Nation Bank on 540 Penn Avenue, and while wielding a small silver pistol, demanded that they hand over their money. The victims managed to withdraw $60 before the suspect fled on foot.
After reviewing footage from the city’s cameras at Penn and 6th, authorities were able to identify Yashua Strong as the suspect in the incident.
The footage captured the suspect holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and pointing it at the victims, who backed away with their hands in the air. Strong is then seen completing his ATM transaction and leaving the area.
In addition to the two counts of armed robbery, Strong has been charged with multiple other offenses, including carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, and access device fraud.
He is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail on a $100,000 bail.
Name: Yashua Strong
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Agency: Pittsburgh Police Department
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-0-03
Docket Number: MJ-05003-CR-0001495-2023
Date Filed: March 17, 2023
Bail: $100,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail.
Criminal Charges
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Robbery (Felony 1)
- Carrying a firearm without a license (Felony 3)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Terroristic threats (Misdemeanor 1)
- Access device fraud (Misdemeanor 1)
- Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms (Misdemeanor 1)
- Possession of firearm by minor (Misdemeanor 1)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
- Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Tuesday March 14th 2023 at approximately 2238 hours, Officer Christian Jonczak, was dispatched to the intersection of 6th Avenue and Penn Avenue to respond to an Armed Robbery. Dispatch provided Officers with a description, given by the victim over the phone, as a stocky built black male, wearing a black and white hoodie, and gray sweatpants.
Officer Jonczak spoke with the victims, ███████ and ███████, in front of ██ Penn Avenue. ███████ stated that while using the First Nation Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue, the male previously described, approached her and produced a small silver pistol and then stated “give me the money.” ███████ stated to the male that the money had not yet come out, and took a step away from the ATM. The male then waited for the money to come out, which was $60.00, before fleeing on foot down Penn Avenue toward 5th Avenue. Once at 5th Avenue, ███████ stated the male turned left on 5th Avenue towards Liberty Avenue.
███████ confirmed what ███████ had stated, and described the firearm as a “silver Derringer with two over-under barrels that were break action.” The break action description ███████ described with a hand motion.
On March 16, 2023, I Detective Colleen Jumba was able to view the footage from the city camera located at 6th Street and Penn Avenue. I observed a male, ███████ and female, ███████ go to the First National Bank ATM at 540 Penn Avenue at 2234 hours. At 2235 hours, a black male, wearing a dark hoodie with white lettering with a white “D” on the back and gray sweatpants, approaches them from behind, raises his left hand holding a firearm. ███████ and ███████ immediately retreat into the street on Penn Avenue. The male bends down and looks at the ATM for several seconds before fleeing towards 5th Avenue.
On March 17 2023, I received footage from the First National Bank ATM that captured the incident. ███████ and ███████ are seen accessing the ATM when a black male, later identified as Yashua Strong, a juvenile, appears in view behind them. Strong is wearing a dark blue or black zip up sweatshirt with white lettering and gray sweatpants. Strong is holding a small silver firearm in his left hand and points it at ███████ and ███████. ███████ and ███████ walk backwards towards Penn Avenue with their hands in the air. The male placed the gun into his left pocket and completes the ATM transaction before going out of camera view.
Detective Matt Tracey of the Computer Crimes Unit was also able to observe the footage from the city’s camera at Penn and 6th. Detective Tracey stated that the physical characteristics and gait of the male he observed resembled Yashua Strong. I viewed a media post from 1/23/23 which included pictures of Yashua Strong and was able to identify him as the male from ATM footage.
I also spoke to Officer Miller of the West Mifflin Police Department who was able to confirm the identity of Strong from the ATM photos.
I contacted Juvenile probation Officer Zack Mayr who informed me that Strong has a juvenile warrant for dating 3/13/23, the day before this incident, making him a fugitive.
I am respectfully requesting an warrant be issued for Yashua Strong. Attorney Megan Sasinoskt of the District Attorneys Office advised to file charges as Act 33.
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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