PITTSBURGH — Three men were arrested Monday after breaking into the old Knoxville Junior High School. Pittsburgh Police were called to reports of someone breaking in without permission in the Knoxville neighbourhood.
After getting the call, cops found the three people inside the empty school building on Charles Street. Their names are Sean Alvarez, Pearson Phillips, and Kai Oritz. Because of the building’s size and past of being abandoned, the SWOT team was called in as a safety measure while a protective sweep of the property was going on.
As soon as the police arrived, they quickly arrested all three guys without any problems.
According to court records, Alvarez, Phillips, and Oritz came to Pittsburgh from Kansas and Illinois just to see the old Knoxville Junior High. The men told the police that they often go into abandoned buildings to take pictures, so this trip was just for fun and not because they wanted to hurt anyone or steal anything.
Even though their visit seemed harmless, all three of them are being charged with criminal trespassing, which is a serious crime because the land is closed to the public for safety reasons. The school has been closed for years because it is dangerous because of problems with the building and lack of maintenance.
A police spokesman said, “The safety of these old buildings is a real concern.” “Trespassing not only puts people in danger, but it also makes it harder to keep these places safe.”
The three guys are still in jail and are waiting to be arraigned. At this point, there is no set date for their preliminary hearing or any possible court dates.
People in Knoxville had a range of reactions to what happened. Some people see urban explorers as harmless travellers who record the history of lost places, while others are afraid of the dangers and legal issues that come with it.
A close resident said, “I get why people are interested in old buildings—they have stories.” “But breaking in will only cause trouble for the explorers and the people who live there,”
This arrest shows how hard it is for cities to deal with homes that have been left empty. They are interesting to look at and photographers love them, but they can also be dangerous and cause legal problems.
Knoxville Junior High School used to be a lively place to learn, but now it’s just a quiet reminder of the past. People are drawn to its boarded-up windows and crumbling walls, but for now, it is still off limits to guests.
The men are now waiting for their court date. The story is a reminder that people should be curious, but they should also follow the law and be careful.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
