Wilkinsburg man suspected of pulling knife on Family Dollar employee in Pittsburgh’s South Side

A Wilkinsburg man was arrested Friday afternoon in connection to an incident at the Family Dollar store in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, officials said.

An Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Laberne Martin, 53, on foot near 20th and Jane streets shortly before 3 p.m., Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said.

According to sheriff’s officials, Martin matched the description of a shoplifter who had just pulled a knife on an employee at the Family Dollar on East Carson Street, then took off running.

The store’s manager followed him outside and provided police officers a description of the man, what he was wearing and the direction he was heading.

The sheriff’s deputy saw Martin “moments later,” and found him in possession of a knife and suspected stolen items from the store, Kraus said. Further details about the items were not available.

Martin was taken into custody.

Pittsburgh police will be leading the investigation and filing appropriate charges, Kraus said.