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Monroeville Robbery Suspect Faces Charges In Court

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man accused of robbing several stores in the Monroeville Mall was in court Monday.

Demetrius Holyfield, 21, was in court to face charges connected to six robberies in four communities.

Holyfield waived his case to trial for allegedly robbing three stores at the Monroeville Mall Jan. 1. Police say he took $700 from two stores, but didn't get any money from a third business. Police say Holyfield never produced a weapon in any of the holdups, instead he gave clerks a note demanding money.

His attorney hopes the fact that Holyfield did not use a gun will work in their favor.

"Certainly that's helpful, my client is not a violent person," said defense attorney David Shrager. "I don't believe there is any indication that he would have committed an act of violence – that being said, the laws can be construed in such a way that the threat of saying is significant as well."

Holyfield was arrested without incident during a traffic stop after he was seen leaving the mall and getting into a sliver Honda.

Police say the victims later identified him as the robbery suspect. He also faces charges for similar holdups at the uniform store in Ross Township. He's also accused of robbing two Family Dollar stores in Apollo and in Sharpsburg.

No one was hurt and he reportedly used notes to get money from the clerks. Police say a video identifies Holyfield as he was running from the scene of one of the robberies.

"They are similar in kind to this one and we'll be defending those vigorously as well," said Shrager.

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