Cops: New Ken man tried to rob police officer in Downtown Pittsburgh

A New Kensington man was arrested after trying to rob a plainclothes police officer in Downtown Pittsburgh about 6 p.m. Monday, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV.

Port Authority of Allegheny County police arrested Aaron Walker, 26, who allegedly approached an officer near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Wood Street, pulled a knife and demanded $5 and a cigarette, WPXI reported.

Police were familiar with Walker, who regularly approached people asking them for money or drugs, according to WPXI.

When the officer confronted Walker, Walker ran into traffic, dodging cars and leading the officer on a chase.

The officer called in backup, and police eventually nabbed Walker several blocks away near the corner of Seventh Street and Penn Avenue.

There was a brief struggle, during which Walker allegedly damaged the door of a police car.

Police searched Walker, finding a stolen debit card, WPXI reported.

Walker is facing charges of robbery, access device fraud, possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and public drunkenness, according to online court dockets.

He was released on non-monetary bond.