Trail Crime-Deputy U.S. marshal attacked on Allegheny River trail :: 09/03/2014

A man was arraigned this morning on charges he pulled down a deputy U.S. marshal's shorts Tuesday afternoon as she was jogging along the Allegheny River trail.

The woman was running along the trail that runs parallel to River Avenue toward the 16th Street Bridge when Robert Flynn, 19, of Troy Hill ran up behind her, grabbed her backside and pulled down her shorts to her ankles, according to a Pittsburgh police criminal complaint.

The complaint said Mr. Flynn ran toward Anderson Street on the North Side and the woman chased after him, yelling, "Federal marshal. Stop!" Mr. Flynn kept running and she followed, telling pedestrians along the way to call 911.

She eventually cornered him on a staircase at an apartment building on Anderson. She said Mr. Flynn lunged at her and she kicked him in the crotch, grabbed his right shoulder and punched him in the face, the complaint said.

Mr. Flynn was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and has been charged with aggravated assault, indecent assault, escape and giving a false name to a law enforcement officer.

Police said they believe Mr. Flynn was involved in a separate incident in the 200 block of Isabella Street near Allegheny Landing shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday. A woman reported that a young man lifted up her skirt and ran off toward the river, according to police.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/09/03/U-S-deputy-marshal/stories/201409030177