A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty to multiple armed robberies in several Allegheny County communities in March 2022, including one that wounded an Oakmont pizza shop owner.
Eric Lee Jones, 34, of the city’s East Hills neighborhood admitted in federal court to robbery, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, federal officials announced Wednesday.
He plead guilty to seven counts of the aforementioned charges before U.S. District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.
Authorities said Jones robbed or attempted to rob four businesses last year. Allegheny County Police arrested Jones on March 19, 2022.
Greg Scampone, owner of the Fox’s Pizza Den along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont, was shot multiple times by Jones during a robbery on March 6, federal authorities said.
Jones was also charged in connection with the robbery of a Sunoco gas station and convenience store along Hulton Road in Penn Hills on March 10.
Authorities said Jones pointed a gun at the head of an employee during that incident.
He also attempted to rob the Edgewood Avenue Express in Edgewood and a Family Dollar store along Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh, both on March 15.
A 53-year-old man was shot in the torso during the Edgewood incident, authorities said.
Authorities said Jones fired a shot inside the Frankstown Avenue store. No injuries were reported there.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Nov. 29.
He faces a minimum sentence of 17 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of $1.75 million or both.
