Pittsburgh police have arrested two individuals in connection with a robbery that led to a high-speed police chase. Lamurian Howard, 20, and Jasmine Bird were apprehended following the incident.
The robbery occurred on Saturday evening when a man reported being robbed at gunpoint in Hazelwood. According to court records, the victim stated that he had known Howard for four years and had agreed to meet her at an apartment to provide her with grocery items. However, upon entering the apartment, Howard allegedly emerged from a closet, knocked the victim to the ground, kicked him, and pointed a rifle at his head. The victim was then forced to hand over his phone, wallet, car keys, and all of his clothes.
When officers arrived at the scene, they believed Howard and Bird were still inside the apartment. SWAT teams were called in, but the suspects managed to flee in a vehicle. A police chase ensued, during which the suspects reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. At one point, an officer crashed into a building, but sustained no injuries.
The chase came to an end when the suspects’ car spun out and flipped over. Police recovered the firearm used in the robbery outside the vehicle. A subsequent search warrant executed at the apartment led to the discovery of a handgun that had been stolen during the robbery.
Howard now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, unlawful restraint, theft, and robbery, according to court records. The complaint also indicates that Bird has been involved in similar robberies in the past.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Pittsburgh police working in collaboration with the FBI to determine if there are any connections to similar threats made elsewhere.
