PITTSBURGH — Imagine running to the grocery store after work to grab a few items, only for the place to be robbed in broad daylight and during peak hours. That’s what happened at the Giant Eagle on Murry Avenue.
“Yes, I’m afraid,” said Juda Kohenbash.
Kohenbash lives in Squirrel Hill and said yesterday’s robbery has him on edge.
“There is no reason to have such a hatred and go after businesses that are struggling already,” said Kohenbash.
At about 5:30 p.m. Monday, a man wearing a yellow hoodie went into the Giant Eagle on Murray Avenue. He said he had a weapon – but no one saw it.
The man demanded money from the register and then ran off.
Police wouldn’t say how much he got. Regardless, it’s unnerving for people who live here.
“Pamela’s closed down, Eat N Park closed down. This neighborhood has become like a ghost town,” said Kohenbash.
TRENDING NOW:
Kohenbash said he is fearful that if crime increases in his neighborhood, businesses will leave, making it hard for community members like him who depend on these stores.
“I live five blocks over that way and work over here. It just goes to show crime happens everywhere. Sometimes, we think about it happening in certain places and not others; it can happen anywhere,” said Barber, a local shopper.
“A few years ago, a Citizen Bank got robbed, and then a sandwich shop, but on the whole, it’s a great, safe neighborhood,” said Barber.
And community members want to keep it that way.
“Giant Eagle is like a big house for all of us, so when you rob them you are robbing everybody else,” said Kohenbash.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not confirmed if surveillance video is available.
©2022 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
