2 jailed in robbery at Cal U. housing
Two Pittsburgh men were arrested by California police, accused of robbing a man at gunpoint just before 11 p.m. Monday at Vulcan Village, California police said.
Darius Rain, 19, was found hiding in an apartment at Vulcan Village, an off-campus apartment complex for California University of Pennsylvania students, police Chief Rick Encapera said Tuesday morning. Branden Washington, 20, was arrested just before 9 a.m. Tuesday at his apartment at 512 Vulcan Village. He was found with a 9mm handgun and the alleged victim’s car keys. Rain had an air-soft pellet gun with him when he was found.
Encapera said Washington is a student at Cal U. Rain had reportedly been staying with him, he added.
The two allegedly ambushed a visitor at gunpoint, forcing the alleged victim from Building 6 to Building 5. The two allegedly took the victim’s car keys before he was able to escape after having a gun pointed at his head, Encapera said. The man told police he thought the guns were fake because one broke when it fell to the ground.
Police searched the area, going to an apartment where Washington lived. Officers were aware he was wanted on two warrants filed by Cal U. police. Police knocked on the door and were allowed into the apartment. Rain was found hiding in a bathroom. The man was able to identify him as one of the men who robbed him. Police also found a pellet gun hidden behind a television in the apartment the man also was able to identify as the one used in the robbery. Police also found a small amount of marijuana.
Encapera said when officers returned to the apartment several hours later, they found Washington.
University police received warrants Monday at District Judge Joshua Kanalis’ office for two incidents at the school last month. Washington is charged with receiving stolen property for allegedly having a a cellphone case and a Calcard that had been in a backpack stolen from a student at Keystone Hall on Feb. 17. Police served a search warrant at Washington’s apartment and found the two items. Washington was charged with theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing a bag that contained items including a Calcard, debit cards and credit card from an office at Azorsky Hall on Feb. 29. Washington is seen on video surveillance leaving the building and putting a black bag inside a backpack.
Rain was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of armed robbery, unlawful restraint, theft, conspiracy and possession of marijuana. He is in Washington County Jail on $100,000 bond. Rain is also wanted on an Allegheny County bench warrant.
Washington was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before Kanalis on charges of armed robbery, unlawful restraint, theft and conspiracy in connection with the robbery as well as the charges filed by university police. Washington was placed in jail on $500,000 bond set on the robbery charges as well as $25,000 bond set on each of the two other sets of charges.
The two are scheduled for March 28 preliminary hearings before Kanalis.