Pittsburgh man charged after botched phone sale at turnpike plaza in Hempfield
A man was hospitalized after state police said a robber took $650 from him and ran over his foot before fleeing a service plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Hempfield, according to court papers.
Kierre D. Williams, 28, of Pittsburgh was arraigned this week and is free on $25,000 unsecured bail. Police said Williams and the man met on July 28 at the service plaza because the man intended to buy a used cellphone for $650 from Williams, according to court papers.
Williams told troopers that he punched the man after being refused the cash and left.
The man told investigators that he brought $650 to the exchange. Police said the money is unaccounted for.
Troopers stopped Williams at the Monroeville interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and he gave police a statement.
The man was taken to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville for treatment of six foot fractures, a head injury and jaw pain, according to court papers. Williams is charged with robbery, theft, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 29.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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