WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) — Charges have been filed against four people who police say broke into the former Century III mall.
West Mifflin’s police chief said his department charged three men from Ohio, a YouTuber who filmed the crime and admitted to breaking in, and a Clairton man who was also allegedly scouting the mall that day with an unidentified woman.
Police say Brody Lones, 23, of New Lexington, Ohio, and his two friends, Christopher Cross, 27, and Drake Pierce, 22, drove to Century III Mall in late May and enter through a door who drove to the Old Navy store and then began recording video once inside.
At one point, police say Brody Lones recorded a video of Christopher Cross shooting mall decorations with a bow and arrow. Lones then allegedly videotaped Drake Pierce throwing objects from the upper floor to the lower floors.
The trio ran into a man and woman who police say also trespassed into the mall. On June 4, police say Lones posted the video to his YouTube video channel Exploring with Brody. Someone saw the video and reported it to West Mifflin police.
During the investigation, detectives identified a Clairton man that the trio encountered. Detectives obtained a warrant and the suspect turned himself in.
As for the Ohio men, police are trying to locate them.
“They will be charged with criminal trespass, which is a felony 3, and simple trespass, which is a misdemeanor,” West Mifflin Police Chief Greg McCulloch said.
“We will try to contact them first, have them surrendered. If not, we will contact the sheriff’s department in Ohio. We already have approval for extradition,” McCulloch said.
Earlier this month, a teenager fell through the roof of the mall and was hospitalized. The chief says he has since been charged with felony trespassing.
Jennifer Borrasso
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