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Canonsburg man arrested for robbing borough pizza shop at gunpoint

3 min read
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A Canonsburg man blamed his addiction to crack for prompting him to rob an East Pike Street pizza shop at gunpoint just before it closed Sunday night, police said.

Matthew Ditullio, 32, of 229 Barr St., was arrested by Canonsburg police on charges of robbery and theft and two counts each of aggravated assault, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment.

Police were called about 10:35 p.m. to Little Caesars Pizza, 152 E. Pike, for a report of an armed robbery. An officer was met outside by a 26-year-old Canonsburg woman who was working at the shop. She let Officer Dennis Cole into the shop. She and another employee, a 32-year-old Canonsburg woman, were crying hysterically. North Strabane police Officer Tim Bliss also arrived at the shop.

The 26-year-old identified Ditullio, or “Ice,” as the robber, saying she grew up with him and could tell it was him by his voice, his eyes and how he ran away from the business.

She had been at the front of the shop when she heard a man’s voice coming from the back where the other employee was working. She saw a heavyset man wearing coveralls and a black mask. He allegedly pointed a gun at her, telling her to open the safe. She said that is when she recognized Ditullio’s voice.

The worker told him she did not have the keys to the safe, but did open a cash register drawer. The robber rummaged through it, getting ones and fives, along with two rolls of pennies.

The robber ran out of the back of the shop and down the train tracks in the direction of South Central Avenue. Additional officers responded from Canonsburg, North Strabane and Cecil Township and began searching the area.

Bliss was on the railroad tracks when he found a black handgun, black mask and the coveralls. He then followed footprints in the grass between two houses. Police said Ditullio was found nearby sitting on the ground, sweating profusely. He initially claimed to be visiting a friend, police said.

According to police, Ditullio later admitted to the robbery, telling acting Detective Lou Bailey and Chief Al Coghill he has a drug habit and is addicted to crack. He also said he was sorry.

Ditullio was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled for a Sept. 18 preliminary hearing before District Judge David Mark.

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