Visually-impaired man robbed at downtown Pittsburgh T station; arrest warrant issued for suspect

The Steel Plaza T Station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the city, was the scene of a crime on Wednesday around 4 p.m. Port Authority officials said a 52-year-old man from Dormont was robbed in an elevator.

The victim told police that he uses a cane for mobility and is visually impaired but not completely blind. He was able to see a man in a yellow vest who offered to assist him with the elevator so he didn’t have to take the stairs. The victim said he was asked if he had any money when he got into the elevator with the man. When he said no, the man took the victim’s suspect wallet out of his pants, removed $2, threw his wallet back at the victim and ran away.

Tuesday afternoon, Port Authority police announced they filed an arrest warrant for the suspect, Philip Montgomery, 58. He is facing multiple charges including robbery and harassment.

Channel 11 spoke with people who work downtown, who said while they generally feel safe while walking to work, they’ve learned to be aware of their surroundings.

“We’re in Downtown Pittsburgh, so I’m not surprised, but I’m honestly more upset about the circumstances than anything,” said Kevin Lindner. “You gotta keep your head on a swivel anywhere you are. It could get randomly dangerous, so you definitely have to be careful at all times.”

Port Authority police said Montgomery is in the Allegheny County Jail on unrelated charges stemming from an arrest on July 11.

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