Seven people are facing charges for trespassing in the old Century III Mall in West Mifflin.
West Mifflin police say the trespassers accessed the dilapidated building through a boarded-up door on Tuesday night. They were all taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail.
Officials say the property has become a public nuisance and a magnet for trespassers, and last week, the owners asked the court for 30 days to continue demolition plans for the property.
“It’s so unhealthy to go in there,” said West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch. “I would just stress as much as I can: do not go in that mall.”
A fire broke out in the blighted property last April and several people have been charged with trespassing there. In June, a teenager fell through the roof while filming a video.
According to court papers, the seven came to the mall to document and take pictures of the property.
Those taken into custody were Jared Chambers, 23, of Canonsburg; Nathaniel Riley, 19, of Brentwood; Noah Joseph, 22, of Pittsburgh; Heather Mason, 21, of Pittsburgh; Austin Seik, 25, of Hookstown; Caden Desimone, 18, of Elizabeth; and Lucas Gonzalez, 21, of Pittsburgh.
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