Community activist accused of trying to set 2 pizza shops on fire shown surveillance video in court

PITTSBURGH — The woman who police said tried to set two local pizza shops on fire with people inside appeared in court on Thursday.

During that appearance, the surveillance video from both places were shown.

Police said video shows Nicole Jo Dawson, 36, attempting to set fire to Pizza Milano on Fifth Avenue and Cafe Milano on Sixth Street on Oct. 29.

In the video from Café Milano, a woman is seen walking down a hallway with a pizza box. Investigators said that woman is Dawson and that when she got in the women’s bathroom she started a fire in the trash can.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts to Allegheny County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

The woman eventually leaves and then comes back, where you can see there is smoke in the bathroom.

Dawson’s defense team, headed by Attorney Blaine Jones, said they want to see every camera angle.

More than a dozen supporters were in court backing Dawson. She is known for being an activist within the community, in particular with the Antwon Rose case.

Watch the video above for the full story.

RAW: Washington County house fire RAW: Washington County house fire

© 2019 Cox Media Group