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Attempted Tennis Shoe Robbery Sparks Lawrenceville SWAT Situation

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police believe the reason behind a Lawrenceville home invasion was a large collection of expensive tennis shoes.

"I'm really surprised I've never seen so many cops in my life," Lawrenceville resident Denise Chirico said.

Pittsburgh Police and a SWAT team surrounded a home in the 100 block of 38th Street after learning that a home invasion was taking place.

Denise Chirico watched from her neighbor's home as it was happening.

"I just came to see my neighbor and the next thing I know I saw a black guy on the roof starting to break into my neighbors window. Breaking windows and everything," Chirico said.

Police believe at least two juveniles were after a large collection of expensive tennis shoes.

"Apparently there was some value to the tennis shoes.  I do not know the number.  I haven't had  an opportunity to do complete inventory," Pittsburgh Police Spokeswoman Sonya Toler said.

"They had masks on their face," Chirico said.

Two other males were in the home during the invasion.  They weren't injured.

One of the suspect's was bitten by a dog inside the home, but he wasn't seriously hurt.

Chirico says she was worried about the people that live there.

"I'm very upset, they're good people and everything, I'm shaking because I'm so scared," Chirico said.

Several homes nearby had to be evacuated as a safety precaution.

"I can't even get home right now because I live in the alley," Chirico said.

"At this point we have cleared the home.  We found no other people inside. No victims, no actors," Toler said.

Both suspects were armed.  Police say they did not have any of the shoes on them when they were arrested.

"It's scary we never have this around Lawrenceville. Never," Chirico said.

Both juveniles were taken to police headquarters to be questioned.

It's unclear if they'll be charged as adults.

This is a developing story. Stay with KDKA and KDKA.com for more information.

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